Sensex surges 600 points to scale 61,000-mark

File.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The BSE benchmark Sensex surged 600 points on February 14, propelled by market heavyweight RIL, ITC, banking and IT shares amid positive global cues.

Sliding crude oil prices in the international markets and buying by foreign investors also bolstered sentiment, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 600.42 points or 0.99% higher at 61,032.26. During the session, the index witnessed a high of 61,102.74 and a low of 60,550.25.

The broader NSE Nifty surged 158.95 points or 0.89% to finish at 17,929.85.

ITC topped the Sensex gainers’ chart with a jump of 3.31%, followed by Reliance Industries, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Axis Bank and Wipro.

On the other hand, NTPC, UltraTech Cement, L&T, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints and Maruti were among the major laggards.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul posted gains, while Hong Kong settled lower.

Bourses in Europe were trading in the positive zone in the afternoon session.

The U.S. markets had ended significantly higher in the overnight session.

The rupee dipped 7 paise to close at 82.77 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar.

International oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.67% lower at $86.03 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the capital market on Monday as they purchased shares worth ₹1,322.39 crore, according to exchange data.