The BSE Sensex continued its upward march for
the fourth straight day, rising by 39 points on Friday to close at a fresh 28-month high of 20,286.12 amid increased capital inflows.
Helped by buying in ICICI Bank, L&T and Infosys shares, the 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange rose by 38.79 points, or 0.19 per cent, to end the day at 20,286.12 - the highest since 20,301.10 on January 5 2011.
It has gained 594.45 points, or 3 per cent, in 4 days. On a weekly basis, Sensex has gained just 0.81 per cent.
The National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 17.40 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 6,187.30.
The MCX-SX flagship index SX40 rose 18.03 points, or 0.15 per cent, to end at 11,972.52.
Brokers said the market remained bullish on reports of higher foreign fund inflows on optimism about a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the wake of falling inflation numbers.
A better trend in Asian region and higher opening in Europe further influenced the trading sentiment, they added. Most Asian stock ended higher. European stocks showed a mixed trend in their early trade.
Power, Capital Goods and Realty sectors attracted good buying. BHEL was the best performer with shares jumping by 4 per cent on FII buying. Banking scrips were in demand on hopes of interest rate cut with ICICI Bank (1.92 per cent) and SBI (0.41 per cent) among gainers.
ITC ended 0.62 per cent down after
posting Q4 results.
Bharti Airtel and Sterlite Industries were among major losers.
Outside major indices,
JM Financial rose by 13.4 per cent after the company said former Citigroup chief
Vikram Pandit will buy stake in the firm and lead proposed banking foray.
With inputs from PTI
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