<p class="title">The BSE Sensex rallied 996 points on Wednesday, led by massive gains in banking and IT stocks ahead of the expiry of monthly derivatives amid firm overseas cues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After hitting a high of 31,660.60 during the day, the 30-share index settled 995.92 points or 3.25 per cent higher at 31,605.22.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty surged 285.90 points or 3.17 per cent to 9,314.95.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Axis Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, soaring over 13 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and Bajaj Finance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the other hand, Sun Pharma, UltraTech Cement, Titan and Asian Paints were among the laggards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite concerns over COVID-19, market participants preferred to accumulate stocks ahead of the expiry of May futures and options contracts, propelling benchmark indices, experts said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Further, positive cues from most global markets and strong foreign fund inflows also enthused domestic investors, they said. Foreign portfolio investors purchased equities worth a net Rs 4,716.13 crore on Tuesday, provisional exchange data showed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bourses in Tokyo and Seoul ended with gains, while Shanghai and Hong Kong closed in the red.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stock exchanges in Europe were trading with significant gains in early deals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">International oil benchmark Brent crude futures slipped 0.91 per cent to USD 35.84 per barrel.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the currency front, the rupee depreciated 5 paise to provisionally settle at 75.71 against the US dollar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India climbed to 1,51,767 and the death toll touched 4,337, as per health ministry data.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Globally, the number of cases linked to the disease has crossed 55.89 lakh, with the death tally at around 3.50 lakh. </p>
<p class="title">The BSE Sensex rallied 996 points on Wednesday, led by massive gains in banking and IT stocks ahead of the expiry of monthly derivatives amid firm overseas cues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After hitting a high of 31,660.60 during the day, the 30-share index settled 995.92 points or 3.25 per cent higher at 31,605.22.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty surged 285.90 points or 3.17 per cent to 9,314.95.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Axis Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, soaring over 13 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and Bajaj Finance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the other hand, Sun Pharma, UltraTech Cement, Titan and Asian Paints were among the laggards.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite concerns over COVID-19, market participants preferred to accumulate stocks ahead of the expiry of May futures and options contracts, propelling benchmark indices, experts said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Further, positive cues from most global markets and strong foreign fund inflows also enthused domestic investors, they said. Foreign portfolio investors purchased equities worth a net Rs 4,716.13 crore on Tuesday, provisional exchange data showed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bourses in Tokyo and Seoul ended with gains, while Shanghai and Hong Kong closed in the red.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stock exchanges in Europe were trading with significant gains in early deals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">International oil benchmark Brent crude futures slipped 0.91 per cent to USD 35.84 per barrel.</p>.<p class="bodytext">On the currency front, the rupee depreciated 5 paise to provisionally settle at 75.71 against the US dollar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India climbed to 1,51,767 and the death toll touched 4,337, as per health ministry data.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Globally, the number of cases linked to the disease has crossed 55.89 lakh, with the death tally at around 3.50 lakh. </p>