Sensex firms up position above 16k

MUMBAI: Stock market benchmark BSE Sensex on Thursday firmed up its position above the 16,000-point level, gaining a moderate 25 points on buying by funds in realty and capital goods stocks.

The Sensex, which registered a historic 653 points rally on Wednesday, added 25.20 points to settle at 16,347.96. It set a new intra-day peak at 16,415.88 and dipped to 16,261.36 points during the day.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 15.20 points at 4,747.55. It touched a high of 4,760.85 and a low of 4,721.15 points during the day.

The market received maximum support from realty sector and heavy machinery and power stocks as they remained the centre of brisk trading activity. Realty index gained the most by 579.86 points at 9,044.50, followed by capital goods index by 279.47 points at 14,392.46.

Metal index rose by 176.97 points at 12,723.31, oil and gas index by 95.45 points at 9,019.56 and auto index by 42.54 points at 5,136.85.