Markets hit record highs for 3rd straight session; Sensex ends above 44,000

The equity benchmarks scaled record highs for the third straight session on Wednesday, as investors accumulated banking, auto, and engineering stocks amid firm global cues and unabated foreign fund inflows.

The Sensex vaulted 227.34 points, or 0.52 per cent, to close above the 44,000-level for the first time at 44,180.05. Intra-day, it touched its lifetime high of 44,215.49. Similarly, the Nifty advanced 64.05 points, or 0.50 per cent, to end at its all-time high of 12,938.25, after making an intra-day record of 12,948.85. M&M was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, soaring 10.76 per cent, followed by L&T, IndusInd Bank,