Equity markets at record high, Sensex, Nifty scale new peaks (Third Lead)

Healthy buying in metal and automobile stocks, and a strong rupee took the Indian equity markets to a record high on Friday.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE crossed the 31,000 mark for the first time in history to provisionally close at a new high of 31,028.21 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 278.18 points or 0.90 per cent from its previous close at 30,750.03 points.

The Sensex touched a new high of 31,074.07 points intra-day.

The wider 51-scrip NSE Nifty, too, touched the 9,600-mark for the first time ever. The index provisionally closed at a new high of 9,595.10 points after touching a fresh intra-day high of 9,604.90 points.

Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Power Grid, Asian Paints and ITC were among the top five gainers on the BSE.

--IANS

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