Record run continues on Dalal Street

Mumbai, August 13

The BSE Sensex vaulted above the 55,000-mark for the first time on Friday as investors remained in risk-on mode amid favourable macroeconomic data and growth optimism. Index heavyweights TCS, RIL, Infosys and HDFC twins saw robust buying, while pharma stocks slipped.

Rallying for the second straight session, the Sensex jumped 593.31 points to its new all-time high of 55,437.29. It touched an intra-day record of 55,487.79.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty breached the 16,500 level, advancing 164.70 points to its fresh closing peak of 16,529.10. It surged to a record of 16,543.60 during the day.

TCS was the top performer among the Sensex components, spurting 3.22%, followed by L&T, Bharti Airtel, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, Bajaj Auto, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank.

On the other hand, PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy’s, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, NTPC and Tech Mahindra were among the laggards, skidding up to 1.28%.

During the week, the Sensex rallied 1,159.57 points while the Nifty soared 290.90 points.

“Sustained rebound in IT followed by recovery in financials and consumers aided benchmark indices to defy weak cues from Asian markets and scale fresh records,” said Binod Modi, Head — Strategy at Reliance Securities.

IT stocks remained in focus throughout the week and investors lapped-up quality IT names due to sustained double-digit revenue growth visibility backed by strong deal wins, he added. — PTI

TCS top performer

• The Sensex jumped 593 points to its new all-time high of 55,437
• The Nifty advanced 165 points to its fresh closing peak of 16,529.10
• TCS was the top performer, spurting 3.22%, followed by L&T, Airtel, HCL, Tata Steel, Bajaj Auto and RIL