Sensex, Nifty end marginally higher

PTI mumbai

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty advanced on Thursday on gains in auto, aviation and banking shares as softening crude oil prices and a rally in global markets boosted investor sentiment.  

Rising for the second consecutive day, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 109.25 points, or 0.14%, higher at 77,100.47 even as 19 of its constituents declined and 11 advanced. 

The 50-share NSE Nifty rose by 34.35 points, or 0.14%, to end at 24,056. The index hit a high of 24,261.60 and a low of 24,039 during the day. 

Among Sensex stocks, IndiGo-parent InterGlobe Aviation jumped the most by 4.82% following a fall in global crude oil rates. Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and Hindustan Unilever were also among the gainers. Conversely, Power Grid, Bharat Electronics, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards. 

"The domestic market concluded the day flat, as early intraday gains were offset by profit booking. While a sharp decline in crude oil prices supported the rupee and provided some cushion, it was insufficient to sustain upward momentum," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.