Sensex posts longest run of weekly gains since 2009 amid vaccine optimism

India’s stocks rose, with the benchmark index completing its longest stretch of weekly increases since 2009 as coronavirus-vaccine optimism and expectations of more U.S. stimulus buoyed sentiment.

The S&P BSE Sensex advanced 1.9% since Monday, completing a 10th consecutive week of gains. It climbed 1.4% to 48,782.51 in Mumbai on Friday, while the NSE Nifty 50 Index climbed 1.5%. Both gauges closed at record highs.

Indian stocks have followed share increases across Asia as vaccination programs aimed at stemming the pandemic begin and the formal endorsement of a new U.S. president and the Democrats winning control of the Senate fueled prospects of