Buoyed by positive global cues, the benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange index touched a new high today with the Sensex rising by 448 points to reach 30,750.03 points. The Nifty too jumped 140 points to close at 9,501.75
The market was strong throughout the day amid healthy buying in capital goods, banking and IT stocks.
The key indices traded with gains of more than half a per cent each on the day of expiry of May futures and options (F&O) contracts.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded above its psychologically important 9,400-mark.
The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 30,374.81 points, traded at 30,454.96 points in noon -- up 153.32 points or 0.51 per cent from its previous close at 30,301.64 points.
The market breadth was healthy as 1,875 shares advanced against a decline of 807 shares, while 152 shares were unchanged.
"Equity benchmark indices started off the last trading session of the current month expiry on a firm note, tracking positive global cues and appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar. Both the indices witnessed some recovery in early trades," Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, told IANS.
Larsen & Toubro, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda were among the top gainers, while Lupin, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Cipla lost the most.
On Wednesday, the NSE Nifty fell by 25.60 points or 0.27 per cent to close at 9,360.55 points, while the Sensex closed at 30,301.64 points -- down 63.61 points or 0.21 per cent.
