Equity indices finished higher for the fourth straight session on Thursday with the benchmark BSE sensex rising over 700 points led by gains in banking, metal and media stocks. The BSE sensex surged 724 points or 1.78 per cent higher to finish at 41,340; while the broader NSE Nifty settled 212 points or 1.78 per cent higher at 12,120. All stocks in the 30-share BSE index finished in green with SBI, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj FinServ and HCL Tech gaining as much as 5.63 per cent.