Stock Market: Sensex Rises 170 Points, Nifty Tops 17,800 Amid Volatility. Auto, Realty Stocks Shine

Stock update: On the 30-share Sensex platform, PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, Nestle, L&T, HCL, Axis Bank were among the top performers. Bajaj twins, NTPC, Reliance, Wipro, Tata Steel closed in the red

The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Wednesday extended their rally into fifth straight session amid buying in some sectors in yet another volatile session. The S&P BSE Sensex closed 170 points higher at 60,301. On the other hand, the Nifty50 shut shop at 17,814, up 44 points.

On the 30-share Sensex platform, PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, Nestle, L&T, HCL, Axis Bank were among the top performers. On the flip side, Bajaj twins, NTPC, Reliance, Wipro, Tata Steel closed in the red.

In the broader markets, the BSE Midcap index added 0.27 per cent and Smallcap index gained 0.34 per cent.

Sectorwise, metal index is down 0.5 per cent, while realty, capital goods, auto, power, FMCG, PSU Bank, and information technology indices are up 0.4-1 per cent.

In the previous session on Tuesday, the BSE Sensex closed at 60,130, up 75 points, while the NSE Nifty ended at 17,769, up 26 points.

In Asian markets, Hong Kong ended in the green, while Tokyo and Shanghai settled lower. Equity markets in Europe were trading in negative territory. The US markets had ended sharply lower on Tuesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.12 per cent to $80.87 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market on Tuesday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 407.35 crore, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, the rupee appreciated 21 paise to close at 81.74 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking the weakness of the American currency in the overseas market. Forex traders said a positive trend in domestic equities also supported the local unit.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82 against the US currency and finally closed at 81.74 (provisional), registering a gain of 21 paise over its previous close. During the session, the rupee touched a high of 81.68 and a low of 82.01 against the dollar.

On Tuesday, the rupee closed at 81.95 against the US currency. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.43 per cent to 101.42.