Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty closed at new record levels on March 4 in a highly volatile trade driven by gains in energy and bank shares and a rally in Asian markets.
Extending its rally to the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 66.14 points or 0.09% to settle at an all-time high of 73,872.29. During the day, it jumped 183.98 points or 0.24% to 73,990.13.
The Nifty rose by 27.20 points or 0.12% to close at a lifetime high of 22,405.60 points. During the day, it hit an all-time high level of 22,440.90.
Among the Sensex firms, NTPC, Power Grid, Reliance Industries, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel and IndusInd Bank were the biggest gainers. JSW Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, Infosys and Titan were among the laggards.
In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong settled in the green. European markets were trading on a mixed note. The U.S. markets ended with gains on March 1. Global rating agency Moody's on Monday raised India's growth forecast for 2024 calendar year to 6.8%, from 6.1% estimated earlier, on the back of 'stronger-than-expected' economic data of 2023 and fading global economic headwinds.
In a special trading session on March 2, the BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 60.80 points or 0.08% to reach its all-time closing high of 73,806.15. The Nifty went up by 39.65 points or 0.18% to settle at a new closing high of 22,378.40.
Leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE conducted a special trading session in the equity and equity derivative segments on Saturday to check their preparedness to handle major disruption or failure at the primary site. Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.30% to $83.80 a barrel.
“Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹81.87 crore on Saturday,” according to exchange data.
