INDIAN STOCK MARKETS BREAK ALL RECORDS
Mumbai, October 29, 2007 (IANS)

The bull run in Indian stock markets achieved another milestone with the benchmark sensitive index (Sensex) hitting the 20,000 points mark and the broader S&P CNX Nifty of National Stock Exchange crossing 5,900 points. There was massive buying by domestic players such as insurance and mutual fund companies, which propelled the indexes to the new highs. In a day of all-round gains, the maximum increase was seen in the capital goods sector.

Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange closed with significant gains of 734.52 points or 3.82 percent plotting 19,977.67. Nifty ended with gain of 203.6 points or 3.57 percent and closed at 5,905.

It was an exciting day for markets across the globe. Asian stocks hit fresh all-time highs, with the Nikkei climbing one percent and Hang Seng 3.5 percent. Wall Street had seen extended gains with the Dow Jones Industrial Average adding 135 points over its previous close Friday.

On Indian bourses, all key indices traded in the green and there were no losers among the Sensex stocks.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee today climbed to a nine-year high as it breached the previous high of 39.445/455 to post a new nine year high of 39.27 against a dollar, which was sold heavily by exporters amid sustained overseas inflow into Indian equity markets.

Among the top performers on the indices were Larsen & Tourbo, up by 10.2 percent at Rs.4,261, BHEL up 7.97 percent at Rs.2,625 and ONGC up 6.01 percent plotting at Rs.1,225.