Sensex ends 696 pts higher, Nifty above 17,750; PSU Bank index up 3%

Financial stocks were the show-stoppers today as six of the top 10 Sensex contributors were either banks or NBFCs

Closing Bell

Equity markets extended their Budget euphoria into second day on Wednesday, with the frontline indices ending over a per cent higher. Buying interest was spread across the board amid lower volatility and firm global cues.

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex opened with a positive gap and extended gains to touch an intra-day high of 59,618.5. The index, eventually, closed with a gain of 696 points at 59,558 level. Its NSE counterpart, Nifty50, meanwhile, missed the 17,800-mark by a whisker as it hit a high if 17,795 in intra-day deals. It closed at 17,780 level, up 203