Sensex at 40k-plus, Gold @39k

The BSE Sensex ended 183.96 points higher on Thursday. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty ended with a gain of 46 points. Gold prices also rose by Rs 70 in the national capital.

Mumbai:The 30-share Sensex rose 184 points to scale a fresh closing peak of 40,654 on Thursday. Similarly, gold prices also rose by Rs 70 to Rs 38,930 per 10 gram in the national capital.

Equity benchmark BSE Sensex rose tracking gains in metal, energy and banking stocks as positive domestic and global cues enthused investors. While gold prices rose on rupee depreciation.

After hitting a record intra-day high of 40,688.27, the 30-share Sensex ended 183.96 points, or 0.45 per cent higher at 40,653.74. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty ended with a gain of 46 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 12,012.05.

Top gainers and losers

Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank, RIL, ITC, Vedanta, Asian Paints, HDFC and Infosys, advancing up to 3.02 per cent.

On the other hand, Yes Bank, HUL, ONGC, Tata Motors, Axis Bank, L&T and NTPC fell up to 3.27 per cent.

In order to boost growth by steering consumption in real estate, the government on Wednesday approved a Rs 25,000-crore fund to help complete over 1,600 stalled housing projects.

The fresh booster is likely to have a positive impact on related industries as well, experts said, adding that strong corporate earnings and sustained foreign fund inflow have also kept domestic market sentiment upbeat.

Global Market

Further, global markets turned positive after the Chinese commerce ministry said that China and the US have agreed on a plan to remove tariffs imposed on two-way goods in stages, as negotiators try to craft a trade deal.

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul settled in the positive terrain following the news.

Exchanges in Europe too were trading in the green in their respective early deals.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee appreciated 5 paise to 70.92 against the US dollar intra-day.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.38 per cent to USD 62.59 per barrel.

Gold prices

The yellow metal had closed at Rs 38,860 per 10 gram in the previous trade, HDFC Securities said. Tracking the rise in gold, silver prices also moved up by Rs 230 to Rs 46,510 per kg from Rs 46,280 per kg on Wednesday.

"Spot gold prices for 24 Karat in Delhi were trading up by Rs 70 on rupee depreciation," HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

In the international market, both gold and silver traded lower at USD 1,487 an ounce and USD 17.54 per ounce, respectively.