Sensex surges to lifetime high, Nifty nears 9,700 on positive global cues

The S&P BSE Midcap and the S&P BSE Smallcap indices gained 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex extended gains in late morning deals to hit its lifetime high tracking positive trend seen in Asian markets after oil prices climbed off their 10-month lows, while investors also took cues from the minutes of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s June policy meeting. 

The 30-share Sensex rallied as much as 215 to hit its all-time high of 31499.29, while the 50-share Nifty rose 55 points to 9689.45, 19 points away from its lifetime high of 9,709, hit on June 6.  

At 11:05 am, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 31,482, up 199 points, while the