Sensex clocks new high; Nifty 1 point shy of record

Realty, FMCG, banking sectors lifted Sensex but profit-booking towards fag end trimmed early gains

The benchmark BSE Sensex on Thursday rose 124 points to close at a new peak of 31,369, as investors pinned hopes on positive first quarter (Q1) numbers, due from next week.

The market was back to its bullish ways following the smooth implementation of goods and services tax (GST), hopes of a pick-up in economic growth and an above normal monsoon so far, brokers said.

Realty, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and banking sectors hogged the limelight and lifted the Sensex but profit-booking towards the fag end trimmed early gains. The 50-share Nifty, after reclaiming the 9,700-mark, to scale a high of 9,700.7,