Sensex, Nifty touch new peak for fifth straight day

 Key benchmark indices of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) have touched record intra-day highs in the five sessions till Friday following indications of improvement in economic growth and expectations of RBI keeping interest rates on hold in its policy meeting on Tuesday next.

Key indices edged higher in choppy trade on Friday with market sentiment boosted by data showing that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) resorted to heavy buying of Indian stocks the previous day. High volatility was witnessed at the onset of the trading session as key benchmark indices trimmed an initial rally triggered by firm Asian stocks.

The popular Sensex at BSE rose to its historic high level to record an intra-day high of 22,363.97 points for the fifth straight day on Friday but ended lower at 22,339.97 — a fresh closing record.