Sensex crosses 60,000 mark for first time ever with tech stocks in lead

The Indian equity benchmark S&P BSE Sensex scaled record highs on Friday, topping the 60,000 level for the first time on the back of gains in tech and property stocks.

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Following positive cues from global markets, equity benchmark indices opened half a percent higher on Friday.

Stocks leading the gains on the Nifty50 index were Wipro, Infosys, HCL Tech, Grasim, and TCS. Each scrip gained over 1-3%. Leading the losses were Hindalco, JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Tata Consumer, SBI Life.

The blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index (.NSEI) rose 0.47% to 17,907.5 by 0354 GMT, and the Sensex (.BSESN) was up 0.49% at 60,180.62. Meanwhile, tech stocks (.NIFTY IT) jumped 1.6%, with Infosys Ltd (INFY.NS) rising more than 2% to be the biggest gainer on the Nifty 50 index.

Among sectors, FMCG, media, metals, and realty indices were under selling pressure. IT, banks, auto, financial services, pharma, healthcare indices were in the green.

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According to analysts, shares were on track for their fifth straight weekly gain, attributing to diminishing fears of a possible third Covid-19 wave due to a quick-moving vaccination campaign.

It has taken a little over 31 years for the Sensex to traverse from 1,000 points to the historic 60,000 level.

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