Markets climb for third day on firm global cues

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the third session in a row, following gains in telecom, tech and consumer durable shares amid a firm trend in the global markets.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the third session in a row on April 23, following gains in telecom, tech and consumer durable shares amid a firm trend in the global markets.

After rallying over 400 points, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 89.83 points or 0.12% higher at 73,738.45. During the session, it jumped 411.27 points or 0.55% to 74,059.89.

Trimming most of its early gains, the NSE Nifty ended 31.60 points or 0.14% up at 22,368. During the day, it climbed 111.15 points or 0.49% to 22,447.55.

Heavy selling pressure in index heavyweight Reliance Industries, mainly due to profit booking, dragged market indices lower. Reliance lost over one per cent to end at ₹2,918.50 per scrip.

From the Sensex basket, Bharti Airtel, Nestle, Maruti, Tata Motors, HCL Technologies, NTPC, Asian Paints and State Bank of India were the major gainers.

Sun Pharma, Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, JSW Steel, Tech Mahindra and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Tokyo and Hong Kong settled in the positive territory while Seoul and Shanghai ended lower.