After a volatile start, the benchmark indices gained ground to trade on a firm footing amid gains in banking stocks. A firm start for the European markets also helped the market sentiments. The BSE Sensex reclaimed the 61,000 mark and was up 291 points or 0.48 percent at 61,113. Meanwhile, NSE Nifty traded at 18,169, 55 points or 0.3 percent higher. ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and SBI were the top Sensex contributors. The broader markets, on the other hand, languished with the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices down over 1 percent each. The Nifty Bank hit a fresh 52-week high. Realty and IT counters were off day's low but still down 1 percent and worst losers.
The BSE index after touching a low of 60,450, bounced back into the positive zone as ICICI Bank and select banking shares extended gains. The Sensex finally snapped its 4-day losing streak and ended 145 points higher at 60,967.
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