Sensex, Nifty end at record highs; metals, financials rally

Indian benchmark equity indices settled at fresh highs on Tuesday led by gains in banks and metal stocks amid a positive trend in global markets. Sensex jumped 403.19 points or 0.73% to end at record closing peak of 55,958.98, while the broader NSE Nifty surged 128.15 points or 0.78% to its lifetime closing high of 16,624.60. Bajaj Finserv, up about 8%, was the top Sensex gainer followed by Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank and SBI. Nestle India, Infosys, HDFC and HCL Tech were among the laggards. Most sectoral indices on the NSE, barring Nifty FMCG and Nifty IT closed in the green. Metal stocks led the rally as value-buying was witnessed in the sector after deep sell-off during the previous sessions. Nifty Metal, closing nearly 3% higher, was the top sectoral gainer followed by Nifty Media, Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Realty and Nifty Bank. In Asia, stock exchanges in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended with strong gains. Equities in Europe were trading on a mixed note in mid-session deals.