Sensex rallies over 329 points; Infosys soars 7 per cent
Equity benchmark Sensex rallied 329 points on Friday, led by gains in Infosys, HDFC Bank, TCS and Reliance Industries amid positive cues from global markets. The 30-share index settled 329.17 points, or 0.94 per cent, higher at 35,171.27, while the NSE Nifty surged 94.10 points, or 0.90 per cent, to 10,383.
Infosys was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying around 7 per cent, followed by TCS, IndusInd Bank, ONGC, HDFC Bank and HCL Tech.
On the other hand, ITC, Bajaj Finance, Kotak Bank and Sun Pharma finished in the red.
According to traders, broad-based buying on the first day of the new monthly derivatives series and positive cues from global equity markets lifted the benchmarks.
After an unbroken rise in the last two weeks, the markets turned a bit volatile this week, said Joseph Thomas, Head of Research - Emkay Wealth Management.
"This was mainly influenced by factors like the phenomenal rise in the coronavirus cases in the US and India, the military stand-off between India and China at the border, and also with the ongoing spat between China and the US on many issues including trade and the source of the pandemic," he said.
The domestic bourses, for the most part of the week, reflected the broad trends in other global markets, he added.
Bourses in Japan and Seoul ended with significant gains, while Hong Kong settled in the red. Markets in Shanghai were closed for a public holiday.
Stock exchanges in Europe were trading over 1 per cent higher in early deals.
Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 1.27 per cent to USD 41.57 per barrel.
On the currency front, the rupee pared initial gains and settled on a flat note at 75.65 against the US dollar.
