Carrying forward its record breaking spree, the benchmark Sensex spurted by over 118.17 points and ended at a new all- time closing high of 22,876.54. Backed by heavy buying from foreign institutional investors (FII), like Sensex, the broader index Nifty also rose by 25.45 points to finish at all-time record of 6,840.80. Despite strong performance of equity markets, rupee depreciated by 31 paise and ended at its one-month low of Rs 61.07 per dollar on sustained dollar demand from banks and importers.
Sensex also recorded its highest ever figure of 22,912.52 points on the intra-day basis, but lost the momentum on emergence of profit-booking. Nifty also touched a new record high of 6,861.60 during Wednesday's session. This is the third successive day indices are hitting their life-time high levels intra-day. As per market experts, equities surged as FIIs again started buying in front line shares after many companies posted encouraging results. But the rally was restricted by profit booking for domestic institutions and investors, experts added.
Meanwhile, rupee depreciated by 31 paise to finish at one-month low due to sustained dollar demand from banks and importers. As per forex experts, month end demand for US currency from importers caused rupee to fall below the Rs 61 per dollar levels. In the last three straight days, the rupee has weakened by 78 paise or 1.29 per cent. On Sensex, off the 30 stocks comprising the index, 18 shares advanced, 10 declined while Hindalco and Bajaj Automobile remained flat. The rally was led by larsen & Turbo which surged by 2.48 per cent. Other gainers include GAIl, BHEl and Tata Steel which rose by 1.48 per cent, 1.42 per cent and 1.32 per cent respectively.
Among the BSE sectoral indices, capital goods rose the most by 1.49 per cent and was followed by bank, healthcare and FMCG indices which surged by 1.12 per cent, 0.44 per cent and 0.41 per cent respectively.