Indices march on as Covid cases dip; post highest 2-week gain since Budget

Sensex has risen 2,690 pts, or 5.5%, since May 14

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex rose 308 points, or 0.6 per cent, on Friday to cap its best two-week gain since the Union Budget in February. The index has added 2,690 points, or 5.5 per cent, since May 14 on optimism that the decline in Covid-19 cases will lead to easing of restrictions and help revive economic activity.

In the first two weeks of February, the Sensex jumped 5,259 points, or 11.4 per cent, enthused by the Budget, which strove to revive growth without increasing taxes.

The Sensex closed at 51,423—731 points, or 1.42 per cent, below its previous record closing of