Sensex hits record high for third straight session

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets continued its record run for the third consecutive day Tuesday when it touched 23,997.77 points. This surpassed its previous record of 23,573 points hit Monday as the exit polls showed the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies winning a majority in just-ended country's general elections.

All the sectors were trading in green. The rally was led by capital goods, banking, oil and gas, metal, consumer durables, auto and IT sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 23,729.78 points, was trading at 23,966.03 points in the pre-noon session, up 415.03 points or 1.76 percent from the previous day's close at 23,551 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 23,997.77 points and a low of 23,729.25 points in trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods sector surged by 530.62 points, bankex increased by 256.27 points, oil and gas index moved up by 266.89 points, metal index inched up by 269.11 points, consumer durables index gained 289.52 points, auto index went up by 230.74 points and IT index got augmented by 182.33 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) surged by 136.15 points or 1.94 percent and was trading at 7,150.40 points.