Sensex, Nifty hit record highs

Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday hit a record high of 26,292.66 points, surpassing its highest peak of 26,190.44 points of July 8.

The index closed at 26,271.85 points (provisional), up 124.52 points or 0.48 percent from its previous closing of 26,147.33 points.

Healthy buying was observed in metal, information technology (IT), bank, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and capital goods stocks. However, consumer durables, healthcare, oil and gas and power scrips came under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,188.50 points, closed trade at 26,271.85 points (provisional), up 124.52 points or 0.48 percent from the previous day's close at 26,147.33 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,292.66 points and a low of 26,077.70 points intra-day.

The S&P BSE metal index rose 196.37 points, IT index jumped 87.79 points, bank index gained 77.29 points, FMCG index increased 60.69 points and capital goods index ended 30.46 points up.

However, consumer durables index fell 80.26 points, healthcare index slipped 30.02 points, oil and gas index dropped 21.22 points and power index ended 7.44 points down.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also closed 34.85 points or 0.45 percent up at 7,830.60 points.

The Nifty touched a new record high intra-day at 7,835.65 points, surpassing its record high of 7,809.20 points touched Wednesday.