Sensex, Nifty close at new highs as metal, insurance firms surge
The Sensex closes at an all-time high of 26,271.85 points, while Nifty ends at a fresh high of 7,830.60 points
![Intraday, the Sensex hit an all-time high of 26,292.66 points, while Nifty rose to a fresh high of 7,835.65 points. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint Intraday, the Sensex hit an all-time high of 26,292.66 points, while Nifty rose to a fresh high of 7,835.65 points. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint](https://images.livemint.com/rf/Image-621x414/LiveMint/Period1/2014/07/25/Photos/bse1--621x414.jpg)
Mumbai: India’s benchmark stock market indices closed at new records on Thursday, powered by shares of steel, metal and mining companies which rose after Chinese manufacturing gauge topped estimates.
Shares of insurance companies also rose after the Union cabinet cleared 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurers, up from the current 29%.
During the day, the Sensex hit an all-time high of 26,292.66 points, while the Nifty rose to a fresh high of 7,835.65 points.
Among gainers, Tata Steel Ltd advanced 2.18% to ₹ 567.05, Hindalco Industries Ltd rose 2.30% to ₹ 197.55 and Sesa Sterlite Ltd added 0.93% to ₹ 298.15.
Among losers, GAIL India Ltd fell 2.04% to ₹ 429.45, Cipla Ltd shed 0.61% to ₹ 439.30, while Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd shed 0.73% to ₹ 2,713.95.
The S&P BSE Metal index was the top sectoral gainer, up 1.47%. The S&P BSE Consumer Durables declined 0.93%, the most among sectoral indices.
Shares of insurance companies rose. Reliance Capital Ltd gained 4.05% to ₹ 613.95, Max India Ltd advanced 0.91% to ₹ 322.35 and Bajaj Finance Ltd added 2.73% to ₹ 2,297.90.
Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd lost 7.02% to ₹ 19.20, after it said Abu Dhabi National Energy Company Taqa had pulled out of an agreement to buy its two hydropwer plants in Himachal Pradesh. The company said Taqa will be liable to pay break-up fee as per the acquisition terms. Jaiprakash Associates Ltd fell 6.06% to ₹ 62.
Wipro Ltd rose 1.31% to ₹ 576.80 ahead of its June quarter earnings. According to Bloomberg’s analyst estimates, Wipro’s net profit will be ₹ 2,127 crore, while net sales will be ₹ 1,1375.2 crore.
China’s factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in 18 months in July as new orders surged, a preliminary HSBC survey showed on Thursday, the latest indication that the economy is picking up as government stimulus measures kick in.
The HSBC/Markit Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 52 in July from June’s final reading of 50.7, beating a forecast of 51 in a Reuters poll.
It was the highest reading since January 2013, and above the 50-point level that separates growth in activity from contraction for the second consecutive month.
Since the beginning of this year, the Sensex has gained 23.65%, while foreign institutional investors have bought $11.91 billion from local equity markets.
Reuters contributed to this story.
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