Sensex closes above 8800 for the first time

     Mumbai: Bull runs continued unabeated for the third consecutive day at the stock market on Friday, with sensex scaling yet another peak to close above 8,800 points for the first time in history. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 30-share sensitive index today opened strong and scaled new peaks at both intraday and closing levels. Surpassing the previous closing high of 8,799.97 scaled on October 4, 2005 the benchmark index today closed at 8,853.21 recording a net gain of 109.17 points over the yesterday's closing. The sensex today surged to a new all-time intraday high of 8,863.93. In the 30-share benchmark index 26 scrips on Friday closed with gains, as compared to just four Sensex scrips that ended in negative territory. In the broader markets, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty also closed 29 points up at 2,664 recording a gain of 1.1 percent over the previous closing.

     The northward rally at sensex was supported by robust buying interest across a host of sectors, including auto, pharma, banking, FMCG and technology sectors. Leading the charge on the Sensex was HLL at Rs 186. The stock gained 5.7 per cent followed by Maruti Udyog, which firmed up by 3.5 per cent. BHEL, Tata Motors, HDFC, Larsen & Toubro, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Satyam Computer also closed in positive territory. Tata Power, ONGC, Hindalco Industries and Reliance Industries (RIL) were the only four Sensex scrips that closed in the red. All the four scrips lost less than 1 per cent on Friday.