The benchmark Sensex on Tuesday rose 30 points to a new closing peak of 26,420.67 and the Nifty gained 23 points to end at a record 7,897.50 on account of continued overseas fund inflows, lower oil prices and positive global cues.
However, gains were capped by fag end profit-selling at record levels as the BSE Sensex shot up to a life high of 26,530.84 and the NSE Nifty zoomed up to its all-time intra-day high of 7,918.55. Still, this is the second successive day that both indices hit new peaks. On Monday, they had gained over one per cent each.
Auto stocks were in limelight as M&M, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto and Maruti Suzuki were among the top gainers in the 19 counters that rose in 30-scrip Sensex. BHEl, NTPC, Coal India, Dr Reddys, Sesa Sterlite and Axis Bank also rose.
Brent oil price hovered near 14-month lows. Investors feel this will give respite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to tackle both current account and fiscal deficits and will also lower the subsidy bill, traders said.
Rs strengthens to nearly 3-week high vERSUS $
Extending its winning run to the second straight session, the rupee on Tuesday rose nine paise to end at nearly three-week high of 60.67 against the Greenback on the back of sustained dollar selling by exporters and a surge in local stocks.
Talks of continued capital inflows also helped the rupee gain after four days of holidays but a strong dollar overseas restricted the rise to some extent, a forex dealer said.
The rupee resumed a paise lower at 60.77 a dollar from last Thursday's close of 60.76 and immediately touched a low of 60.78 only to bounce back on bullish equities following firm global cues triggered by lower crude prices.
It later touched a high of 60.65 before settling at 60.67, clocking a gain of nine paise or 0.15 per cent. This is its best closing since 60.55 on July 31, 2014. last Thursday, rupee had spurted 45 paise, or 0.74 per cent -- its best single-day gain in three months.