Sensex, Nifty hit new lifetime high in opening trade

Continuing its record-setting spree, the benchmark BSE Sensex hit a new lifetime high of 22,464.86 in opening trade today on strong rally in power, oil & gas, auto, banking and PSU stocks, driven by sustained capital inflows.

The 50-share NSE Nifty too scaled a new high of 6,728.85 by surging 32.95 points, or 0.49 per cent.

The 30-share Sensex rose by 124.89 points, or 0.55 per cent, to trade at an all-time high of 22,464.86, surpassing its previous intra-day record high of 22,363.97 reached on March 28.

Brokers said sustained capital inflows by foreign funds at the domestic bourses and widespread buying by retail investors on expectations that the RBI will keep interest rates on hold in its policy review tomorrow, helped the key indices to continue their record-setting spree.

Further, a firming trend in other Asian markets also buoyed the trading sentiments here, they said.

Sectorally, the BSE power sector index gained the most, rising 1.25 per cent, followed by Oil and Gas index (0.93 per cent), PSU index (0.81 per cent) and Auto index (0.73 per cent).

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.81 per cent while Japan's Nikkei gained 0.98 per cent in early trade today.