New Delhi, 17 June (H.S.): The domestic equity market extended its winning streak for the fourth consecutive trading session on Wednesday, supported by the continued decline in crude oil prices. The benchmark Sensex once again crossed the 77,000-mark, while the Nifty opened above the 24,000 level and also closed above that milestone. At the close of trading, the Sensex ended 0.45 per cent higher and the Nifty gained 0.40 per cent.

Consumer Durables, Capital Goods and Metal stocks witnessed sustained buying throughout the trading session. The IT, Banking, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Technology and Public Sector Enterprise indices also closed in positive territory. On the other hand, FMCG, Automobile and Realty stocks came under selling pressure. The broader market also remained firm, with the Nifty Midcap Index ending 0.52 per cent higher and the Nifty Smallcap Index advancing 0.79 per cent.

The market rally added nearly Rs 3.48 lakh crore to investors' wealth. The combined market capitalisation of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) rose to Rs 475.17 lakh crore (provisional) at the close of trade, compared with Rs 471.69 lakh crore in the previous trading session on Tuesday. As a result, investors earned an estimated Rs 3.48 lakh crore during the day's trading.

A total of 4,443 stocks were actively traded on the BSE. Of these, 2,404 advanced, 1,876 declined, while 163 remained unchanged. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 3,008 stocks witnessed active trading, with 1,699 closing in the green and 1,309 ending in the red. Among the 30 Sensex constituents, 20 stocks closed higher while 10 declined. Similarly, 33 of the 50 Nifty stocks ended with gains, while 17 finished lower.

The BSE Sensex opened 271.61 points higher at 77,080.09, crossing the 77,000-mark at the opening bell. However, early profit booking dragged the index down to an intraday low of 76,768.49, down 39.99 points from the previous close. Fresh buying thereafter lifted market sentiment.

Supported by sustained buying, the Sensex climbed to an intraday high of 77,218.99 shortly before noon, up 410.51 points. Later, renewed profit booking trimmed some of the gains. The benchmark eventually settled 347.14 points higher at 77,155.62.

The NSE Nifty opened 55.40 points higher at 24,044.55. Early profit booking pushed the index down to an intraday low of 23,969.70, down 19.45 points. Buying interest soon returned, driving the benchmark higher.

Around 11:30 a.m., the Nifty touched an intraday high of 24,108.20, gaining 119.05 points. Although some selling emerged later in the session, the index managed to hold on to most of its gains and closed 96.55 points higher at 24,085.70.

Among the frontline gainers, Trent Ltd. surged 7.07 per cent, followed by Bharat Electronics Ltd. at 3.02 per cent, Hindalco Industries at 2.60 per cent, Eternal at 1.89 per cent, and Tata Steel at 1.54 per cent.

On the losing side, TMPV declined 8.30 per cent, followed by Cipla, down 1.63 per cent, ONGC, down 1.29 per cent, Bajaj Finserv, down 1.27 per cent, and Axis Bank, which fell 1.08 per cent.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar