Indian equities at new highs; auto, healthcare stocks rise

With continued optimism about a normal monsoon and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) roll-out, the Indian equity markets scaled new highs again on Friday.

Besides, the upward trajectory of the key indices was supported by positive global cues and healthy buying in consumer durables, automobile and healthcare stocks.

However, some gains were capped and from their day's highs, the indices provisionally closed up less than half-a-per cent each.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 37.40 points or 0.39 per cent to a new closing high of 9,653.50 points. It touched a fresh intra-day high of 9,673.50 points.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, too, provisionally closed at 31,273.29 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- a new high -- up 135.70 points or 0.44 per cent from the previous day's close at 31,137.59 points.

It scaled a record high of 31,332.56 points intra-day.

The BSE market breadth was bullish -- with 1,449 advances and 1,237 declines.

--IANS

ppg/vt