BSE m-cap hits Rs 200 L cr as rally continues

NEW DELHI: Equity indices defied gravity for the fourth straight session to close at fresh lifetime highs as FMCG and banking counters saw robust demand amid encouraging quarterly earnings. The market capitalisation of BSE listed companies rose to Rs 2,00,47,191.31 crore.

Participants shrugged of f weak Asian cues and kept accumulating stocks ahead of RBI's policy decision on Friday, traders said.

After touching an alltime high of 50,687.51 during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 3 58.54 points or 0.71 per cent at its new closing record of 50,614.29.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty finished 105.70 points or 0.71 per cent higher at its closing peak of 14,895.65. It touched an alltime high of 14,913.70 during the session.

ITC was the top gainer in the Sen sex pack, soaring 6.11 percent, followed by SBI, Bajaj Finance , ONGC, M&M, K otak Bank, Bajaj Finserv, NTPC and UltraTech Cement.

SBI climbed 5.73% after the country' s largest lender posted a stand alone net profit of Rs 5,196.22 crore for the December quarter, down 7% year-onyear but above street estimates. The laggards included Asian Paints, IndusInd Bank, Bhar ti Air tel, Tech Mahindra, Titan and Inf osys, shedding up to 2.08%.

"Equities extended gains as growing optimism about prospects of Indian economy post the announcement of bold Budget continued to attract investors ," said Binod Modi, Head Strategy at Reliance Securities.