Sensex, Nifty End Higher; Broader Markets Outperform

Indian equity markets began the new trading week on a positive note, after a sluggish start, gaining momentum in the second half of trade.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 0.8% higher at 45,426 while the NSE Nifty 50 index ended above the mark of 13,300 to end at 13,355 - up 0.7%. Both Sensex and Nifty registered another record high in today's session.

Today's session belonged to FMCG, Pharma, Media and PSU Banking stocks. The Nifty Media index was the top sectoral gainer in today's session, ending with gains of 2.8%. The index gained for the seventh straight day to end at the highest level in over three months.

The PSU Bank index ended 2.1% higher at the highest level in nine months.

The Nifty Pharma index continued to edge higher, gaining another 1.6% in today's session to end at the highest level since November 2015. The index also gained for the seventh day in a row.

The Nifty FMCG index too ended 1.6% higher, at the highest level since August 2018. The index ended higher for the fourth straight day.

Broader markets outperformed the benchmarks in today's session. The Nifty Midcap index gained 1.1% to end at the highest level since February 2018. The index gained for the seventh day in a row. The Smallcap index too ended 1.2% higher at the highest level since September 2018.

The India Volatility Index ended unchanged, at the mark of 18.

1,385 stocks on the NSE ended with gains while 528 stocks declined.