Equity indices resumed their climb on Friday after a day’s pause as bank, energy and FMCG stocks saw robust buying amid persistent foreign fund inflows. Subdued global markets and a flat rupee capped the gains, analysts said.
After touching its all-time intra-day high of 46,309.63, the 30-share BSE Sensex dipped into the negative zone in late-afternoon trade. However, it staged a comeback to end 139.13 points or 0.30% higher at 46,099.01, just shy of its closing record.On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty rose 35.55 points or 0.26% to 13,513.85. It hit a lifetime high of 13,579.35 during the session. ONGC topped the Sensex gainers’ chart, rallying 5.68%, followed by NTPC, Tata Steel, ITC, ICICI Bank, Titan, Bajaj Auto and SBI. On the other hand, Axis Bank, M&M, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finserv and Infosys were among the laggards, skidding up to 2.19%. During the week, the Sensex vaulted 1,019.46 points or 2.26%, while the Nifty surged 255.30 points or 1.92%. World stocks wobbled as prospects of a no-deal Brexit and uncertainty over US stimulus talks sapped risk appetite. "Market opened well, but in between it lost all the gains and turned negative, fortunately in the last trading minutes, it made a good attempt to bounce back and closed marginally above. Gains made in sectors like energy, FMCG and metals were countered by selling in Pharma and IT stocks. "This muted momentum was due to a weak global trend. Despite European Central Bank announcing an increase in the stimulus package, European markets fell as it was weighed by increasing chance of a no-deal Brexit, rising virus cases and moderate usages of the announced stimulus plan.