Sensex ends over 150 points higher to extend gains for fourth session in a row

The benchmark BSE Sensex today rallied nearly 155 points to extend gains for the fourth session in a row on buying in IT, FMCG, auto and pharma stocks amid firm global markets and easing Indo-China border tension.

The broader NSE Nifty reclaimed the key 9,900-mark propelled by gains in Infosys, Sun Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, Hero MotoCorp and IndianOil.

The 30-share Sensex opened higher at 31,756.87 and advanced further to hit a high of 31,809.70 on unabated buying by domestic investors.

Infosys rallied to become top performer on both indexes on hopes that appointment of co-founder Nandan Nilekani as chairman could end a feud between the founders and board.

The Nifty closed 0.57 percent higher at 9,912.80, while the Sensex ended up 0.49 percent at 31,750.82.

Infosys Ltd closed 3.2 percent higher.

Brokers said the rupee appreciating further to trade at 63.86 (intra-day) against the dollar at the forex market too had its positive impact.