Sensex jumps 304 pts to regain 26,000-level in pre-close trade

The benchmark BSE Sensex regained the 26,000-mark by surging over 304 points in pre-close trade today as metals, oil & gas, infrastructure and consumer durable stocks led the rally on continued foreign fund inflows amidst encouraging corporate earnings.
After opening higher, the 30-share Sensex shot up by 304.48 points, or 1.18 per cent, to trade at 26,019.65 at 1500 hours with tech, oil & gas, metals, IT and infrastructure sector indices leading the rise.
The gauge reclaimed the 26,000-mark for the first time since July 8.
On similar lines, the 50-share NSE Nifty shot up by 73.80 points, or 0.96 per cent, to trade at 7,758.00.

Brokers said investor sentiment was influenced by persistent inflow of foreign funds and widespread buying by retail investors amid better-than-expected first quarter earnings by bluechip companies.
Further, improving macroeconomic indicators, monsoon progress and positive cues from global markets, supported the buoyancy in domestic indices, they said.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 161.17 crore yesterday, as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.
Major gainers that supported the Sensex were Reliance Industries (3.33 per cent), ONGC (0.68 per cent), Hindalco (2.75 per cent), NTPC (1.15 per cent), Infosys (0.77 per cent), TCS (2.41 per cent), Wipro (2.55 per cent) and Tata Motors (2.13 per cent).