Sensex ends 157 pts higher, Nifty reclaims 17,500; ITC surges 5%, L&T 3%

The broader markets logged smart gains for the third straight trading session; Advancing shares outnumbered declining stocks in nearly 2:1 ratio on the BSE

Closing Bell

After two successive trading sessions of strong gains, the key benchmark indices on Thursday consolidated in a rather narrow band albiet higher volatility. Select index heavyweights like ITC, Reliance and Larsen & Toubro supported the markets, while IT and financial shares witnessed profit-taking.

The BSE benchmark, the Sensex, opened 180-odd points higher at 58,831, and soon jumped to a high of 58,890. Profit-taking thereafter saw the BSE index wipe out gains and slide to a low of 58,341 - down 549 points from the day's high. Thereafter, the benchmark recouped losses and once again rallied near