The benchmark indices ended with decent gains on Thursday supported by the IT, metal, financial stocks. Among sectors, the metal index gained 5, while IT, PSU Bank and realty indices rose 1-3 percent. However, FMCG index was down 1 percent. BSE midcap and smallcap indices rose 0.4-0.9 percent.
Overseas, Asian markets ended higher, led by Hong Kong's Hang Seng (up 3 per cent), while European stocks hit fresh record highs after US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell kept interest rates unchanged and said the US central bank wishes to see "some strong job numbers" in coming months before tapering the bond buying programme.
Meanwhile, Oil prices rose on Thursday to extend gains from the previous session after overnight data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed U.S. crude inventories resumed a downward trend last week.
On the corporate front, Hindalco shares soared as much as 10.2 percent amid improved business outlook for the sector. While Mahindra Holidays zooms over 3% on bonus issue plan. Whereas Coal India, ITC, Bajaj Auto and Power Grid Corp dropped 1-2 percent.
Indian rupee ended higher by 9 paise at 74.28 per dollar, amid buying saw in the domestic equity market. It opened marginally higher at 74.32 per dollar against previous close of 74.37 and trade in the range of 74.22-74.33.
The 30-share benchmark index closed trading at 52653.07 up by 209.36 points or by 0.4 % and then NSE Nifty was at 15778.45 up by 69.05 points or by 0.44 %.
During the day’s trade, Sensex touched intraday high of 52777.18 and intraday low of 52561.39 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 15817.35 and intraday low of 15737.80.
The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were Tata Steel Ltd. (Rs. 1459.00,+6.87%), Bajaj Finserv Ltd. (Rs. 14590.45,+4.48%), State Bank of India (Rs. 441.75,+3.83%), HCL Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 1007.60,+2.54%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Rs. 703.25,+2.28%), among others.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (Rs. 6991.90,-2.21%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (Rs. 167.40,-2.11%), Bajaj Auto Ltd. (Rs. 3762.80,-1.51%), ITC Ltd. (Rs. 206.00,-1.51%), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (Rs. 4671.05,-1.25%), among others were the losers.
Metal index was at 21223.72 up by 1113.65 points or by 5.54%. Hindalco Industries Ltd. (Rs. 458.25,+10.14%), Tata Steel Ltd. (Rs. 1459.00,+6.87%), Vedanta Ltd. (Rs. 288.60,+6.87%), Steel Authority of India (SAIL) Ltd. (Rs. 142.00,+5.97%), NMDC Ltd. (Rs. 182.75,+4.94%),.
On the flip side, FMCG index was at 13464.65 down by -124.88 points or by -0.92%. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. (Rs. 1709.10,-4.64%), Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd. (Rs. 428.35,-2.65%), Prataap Snacks Ltd. (Rs. 728.50,-2.42%), Heritage Foods Ltd. (Rs. 497.90,-2.38%), United Breweries Ltd. (Rs. 1419.70,-1.83%),.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 3570 , shares advanced were 2053 while 1346 shares declined and 171 were unchanged.