Provisional: Sensex closes at all-time high levels

 

After being rangebound for better part of the day key indices surged higher in noon trades and closed at record high levels led by buying in heavyweights. 

The 30-share BSE Sensex added 93 points to close at its all-time closing high levels of 21022 and the broader NSE Nifty advanced 27 points to close at 6,248, which is a three year high for the indices. The all-time closing high for Sensex earlier was 21,004, last hit on November 5, 2010.
 
Gains in heavyweights such Bharti Airtel, ITC, HUL, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Auto pulled indices higher. In the broader markets, the midcap index gained 0.4% and the smallcap index advanced 0.8%.
 
At 3:36pm the rupee was trading was at 61.67-a-dollar compared with previous close of Rs 61.32 per dollar.  Currency dealers see the rupee trading in the range of Rs 61.30 to 62.50 for the rest of the day.
 
Sensex gainers: Bharti Airtel rises 5.2 pct, Dr. Reddy's gains 4.2%, Hindalco rises 2.4%. The market breath was positive. 1,172 stocks advanced while 1,145 stocks declined on the BSE