NEW DELHI: Equity indices surged for the third straight session on Thursday with the benchmark BSE sensex rising over 500 points led by gains in banking and financial services.
The 30-share BSE index surged 529 points or 1.14 per cent to close at 46,974; while the broader NSE Nifty settled 148 points or 1.09 per cent higher at 13,749.
Top gainers in the sensex pack included Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, ONGC, Reliance, HDFC and ICICI Bank with their stocks rising as much as 2.94 per cent.
While Infosys, Nestle India, IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra and Dr Reddy falling up to 1.32 per cent.
On the NSE platform, sub-indices Nifty Financial Services, Bank and Private Bank gained as much as 1.81 per cent.
Domestic equities look to be good at the moment, Binod Modi head-strategy at Reliance Securities told news agency PTI, adding that Asian markets are trading positive as the outline of Brexit trade deal was reached.
"Further, fear of a new coronavirus strain seems to be easing out now with select European countries opening borders for Britain. FPIs flow continues to remain a key driving force for domestic equities, which is expected to sustain in the near term in the backdrop of weak dollar, soft monetary policies of global central bankers and fiscal stimulus in the USA.
"Sustainability of recovery in key economic data and 3QFY21 earnings are likely to play important roles for domestic markets for the sustainability of premium valuations in the near term," he added.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) were net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth Rs 536.13 crore on a net basis on Wednesday, according to provisional exchange data.
(With agency inputs)