Stock Market Today: Nifty, Sensex Extend Gains To A Third Session; Adani Ports, NTPC Top Gainers

As of 3:25 p.m., the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures contract was flat, while that of S&P 500 was 0.05% higher and Nasdaq 100 was flat.

• US: JOLTS Job Openings

• US: RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism

• US: FOMC Member Kugler Speaks

Benchmark equity indices gained for a third consecutive session to close at highest in around a month as global sentiment was uplifted ahead of monthly jobs data from the US and on the back of gains in heavyweights including HDFC Bank, which hit a record high.

Intraday, Sensex hit a high of 80,949.10, its highest level since October 22 and Nifty hit a high of 24,481.35 points, its highest since November 7. Nifty ended 0.75% or 181.20 points up at 24457.15, its highest close since November 6 and Sensex ended 0.74% or 597.67 points higher at 80845.75, its best close since October 21.

"As we were constantly indicating, the Index has ultimately given a breakout from an Inverted Head and Shoulder formation which provides a sign of a trend reversal i.e. negative to positive," said Aditya Gaggar director of Progressive Shares.

"As per the pattern, the approximate target comes to 25,440," he said. "The immediate resistance is at 24,660 while the support is shifted higher to 24,300."

Nifty Bank also mirrored the benchmarks and rose for third session to record best close since October 1.

Share prices of HDFC Bank Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Axis Bank Ltd., State Bank Of India contributed the most to the gains.

While those of Bharti Airtel Ltd., ITC Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Hero MotoCorp Ltd., and HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd. minimised the upside.

Most sectoral indices rose with Nifty Media gaining the most

Market breadth was skewed in favour of buyers. Around 2,738 stocks advanced, 1,227 stocks declined, and 102 stocks remained unchanged on BSE.

Broader markets outperformed benchmark indices. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices ended 0.92% and 1.03% higher, respectively.

On BSE, 18 sectors advanced, and two declined out of 21. The BSE Services rose the most, and the BSE FMCG declined the most

• Nifty and Sensex end higher for third session to record highest close in around a month

• Intraday, Sensex hit a high of 80,949.10, its highest level since October 22 and Nifty hit a high of 24,481.35 points, its highest since November 7.

• Nifty ends 0.75% or 181.20 points up at 24457.15

• Sensex ends 0.74% or 597.67 points higher at 80845.75

• Broader indices outperformed. Nifty Midcap 100 ended 0.9% up; Nifty Smallcap 250 closed 0.9% higher

• Most sectoral indices rose with Nifty Media gaining the most

• Adani Ports & SEZ and NTPC were top Nifty gainers

• Bharti Airtel and Hero MotoCorp fell the most

Rupee closed flat at 84.69 against the US dollar.

It closed at 84.70 on Monday.

Source: Bloomberg