Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty climbed to new all-time highs on Thursday, buoyed by gains in major stocks like ICICI Bank, Infosys, and TCS amidst a broadly positive trend in global markets.
The 30-share BSE Sensex reached a record intraday high of 80,392.64 in early trading. However, it lost much of these gains due to market volatility and profit-taking at peak levels. Ultimately, Sensex closed 62.87 points, or 0.08% higher, at a new all-time high of 80,049.67.
Similarly, the broader Nifty also hit an intraday record high of 24,401 before closing nearly flat. The 50-share index increased by 15.65 points or 0.06% to finish at a record 24,302.15, with 23 of its stocks ending higher and 27 declining.
Among the Sensex constituents, HCL Technologies, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Mahindra and Mahindra saw gains. Conversely, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Tech Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, and IndusInd Bank were among the losers.
In the broader market, the BSE Smallcap index rose by 0.62%, while the midcap index advanced by 0.60%. Sector-wise, healthcare surged by 1.17%, IT climbed by 1.12%, tech increased by 0.98%, auto gained 0.88%, and telecommunication grew by 0.73%. However, consumer durables fell by 0.22%, FMCG by 0.15%, financial services by 0.13%, and Oil & Gas by 0.02%.
Overall, 2,185 stocks advanced, 1,742 declined, and 94 remained unchanged on the BSE. Among the Nifty stocks, 23 advanced and 27 declined.
In Asia, markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul closed positively, while Shanghai ended lower. European markets were trading in positive territory during mid-session. US markets also ended higher on Wednesday during a shortened trading session ahead of the Independence Day holiday on Thursday. Global oil benchmark Brent crude fell by 0.52% to USD 86.89 a barrel. FIIs purchased equities worth Rs 5,483.63 crore on Wednesday, as per exchange data.
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