Sensex ends 329 points up; metals, realty, banks up 3 per cent

Equity benchmarks closed another session on a strong note - the 50-share NSE Nifty held 5950 level at close on Wednesday by rising 98 points. Indices consistently maintained their uptrend this week. Buying nearly in all sectors and positive global cues were the supportive factors for today's rally.

Major support was led by metal, realty, banking, power, auto and select oil & gas companies' shares. It was a nice pull back for the markets - the Sensex jumped more than 700 points in three days and has been marching towards 20,000 level again.

The 30-share BSE Sensex closed at 19,850, up 328.75 points or 1.68% over previous closing value. The benchmark Nifty rallied 98.20 points or 1.67% to settle at 5,960.90. Broader indices outperformed benchmarks today; the BSE Midcap Index was up 2.8% and Smallcap up 3.1%.

Global cues lift Nifty above 5950; Suzlon, R Cap rally

At 14 hours IST - the benchmark Nifty rallied further by adding more than 90 points and surpassed the 5950 as well. Even the Sensex gained around 300 points, led by further buying in financial, metal, power, oil & gas and select auto companies' shares. Positive global cues were quite supportive; European markets like France's CAC, Germany's DAX and Britain's FTSE were trading 1% higher.

Asian markets also closed with positive bias; Hang Seng, Kospi and Taiwan gained 1-1.7%. Jakarta rallied 2.2% and Nikkei was up 0.5%. Straits Times rose 0.85% and Shanghai was marginally in green.