The BSE benchmark Sensex on Friday surged by over 206 points on sustained buying by funds and retail investors triggered by a firming trend on other Asian bourses.
The 30-share index gained 206.05 points, or 1.06 per cent, to trade at 19,616.89, with all the sectoral indices led by FMCG, realty and metal rising up to 1.83 per cent. Sensex had gained 233.08 points on Thursday.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 54.70 points, or 0.94 per cent, to trade higher to 5,891.65.
Among FMCG stocks, Hindustan Unilever continued its rising trend for the second day and rose further by 3.55 per cent to Rs 622.05, after its Anglo-Dutch parent firm Unilever Plc raised stake in it to 67.28 per cent through an open offer.
Nestle India rose by 0.54 per cent to Rs 5,150, ITC Ltd by 1.61 per cent to Rs 343.95 and United Spirit by 2.41 per cent to Rs 2,617.90.
Brokers said increased buying by participants, tracking a firming trend on the other Asian bourses following overnight gains on the European markets after the European Central Bank said it would keep interest rates at record lows for as long as necessary, supported the trading sentiment here.
In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose by 1.38 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei was up by 1.37 per cent in early trade.
The U.S. markets were closed on Thursday for Independence Day.
