New Delhi, 18 February (H.S.): Indian stock markets closed higher for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, buoyed by robust global cues on the third trading day of the week.The BSE Sensex, comprising 30 shares, jumped 283.29 points or 0.34 percent to settle at 83,734.25. Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty, tracking 50 shares, rose 93.95 points or 0.37 percent, ending at 25,819.35.

At the close of trading, the total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies climbed to 471.89 lakh crore rupees from 470.11 lakh crore rupees in the previous session. This marked an increase of nearly 1.78 lakh crore rupees in market cap, boosting investors' wealth by approximately 1.80 lakh crore rupees.

Among Sensex's 30 constituents, 19 shares advanced, while 31 out of Nifty's 50 stocks posted gains. Tata Steel led with a 2.90 percent surge, followed by ITC, Axis Bank, Reliance Industries, and Mahindra & Mahindra, which closed up between 1.18 percent and 2.21 percent.

Metal, banking, and FMCG sectors drove gains, though IT shares declined.Notably, on Tuesday, the Sensex had risen 173.81 points or 0.21 percent to 83,450.96, with the Nifty gaining 42.65 points or 0.17 percent to 25,725.40.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar