Sensex, Nifty Soar To Record Closing Highs As Financials Jump

Domestic stock markets climbed to record highs on the first full session of Samvat 2077, tracking strength in global equities as investors cheered the news of another promising coronavirus vaccine and optimism around world recovery. The S&P BSE Sensex index jumped 523.18 points - or 1.20 per cent - to touch 44,161.16 during the session, and the broader NSE Nifty 50 benchmark climbed up 153.80 points to 12,934.05 -- both all-time highs. Gains in banking, financial services and metal shares supported the markets, however losses in select IT, pharma and energy shares limited the upside.

The Sensex ended 314.73 points - or 0.72 per cent - higher at 43,952.71, and the Nifty settled at 12,874.20, up 93.95 points - or 0.74 per cent - from its previous close -- both record closing highs.

Tata Motors, Tata Steel, HDFC Life, SBI and Adani Ports, ending between 3.36 per cent and 6.15 per cent higher, were the top gainers in the Nifty basket of 50 shares. On the other hand, Bharat Petroleum, Hero MotoCorp, NTPC, Indian Oil and ONGC, down 1.93-4.25 per cent each, were the worst hit among 19 laggards.

HDFC Bank, HDFC, SBI and Axis Bank were the biggest contributors to the gain in Sensex.