NEW DELHI: Equity indices opened at record highs on Wednesday with the benchmark BSE sensex trading above the 54,000-mark for first time led by gains in banking stocks. The 30-share sensex pack jumped 601 points or 1.12 per cent to 54,425 in early trade; while the broader NSE Nifty moved 154 points or 0.95 per cent higher to 16,285.
Top gainers in the BSE index included Tata Steel, HDFC twins (HDFC and HDFC Bank), Infosys, Dr Reddy's and Reliance Industries with their shares rising as much as 2.33 per cent.
On the NSE platform, sub-indices Nifty Metal and Media surged as much as 1.56 per cent.
"Sentiments in the Indian market remained positive with the GST collection increasing and the manufacturing sector gaining a boost and posting the strongest rate of growth in the month of July amid easing of Covid-19 restrictions," Gaurav Garg, head of research, CapitalVia Global Research Ltd told news agency PTI.
On the global front, Asian shares advanced to one-week highs, led largely by strong US corporate earnings, although the mood remained cautious as the rapidly spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus clouds the global economic outlook.
Analysts, however, cautioned about the rise in Delta infections of the coronavirus in Asia, with Chinese media reporting 31 provincial regions have warned residents against unnecessary travel in light of recent outbreaks.
Investors expect volatility to increase in August as more companies report earnings.
(With inputs from agencies)
