MUMBAI: The benchmark BSE Sensex soared to a record-high of 22,162.52 in opening trade on the back of a strong rally in metal, realty and banking sector stocks amid sustained capital inflows and strengthening rupee.

The 30-share Sensex shot up by 107.31 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 22,162.52, surpassing its previous intra-day record high of 22,079.96 reached in trade.

The 50-share NSE Nifty breached 6,600 level to hit an all-time high of 6,622.80, up 33.05 points, or 0.50 per cent.

Brokers said sentiments remained extremely bullish as foreign investors continued to pump in funds into the Indian markets, driven by the improvement in the country’s economy that helped the key indices to touch new highs.

Besides, a firming trend overseas buoyed the trading sentiments here.

Further, rising rupee and a firming trend in other Asian markets following overnight gains in the U.S. markets on a better-than-expected jump in consumer confidence to a six-year high also buoyed the trading sentiments here, they said.

Major gainers which contributed to the rally were Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra and Mahindra, RIL, GAIL, ONGC, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Tata Steel, Tata Motors and Tata Power.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong’ Hang Seng rose 0.76 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.68 per cent in early trade today.

The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.56 per cent higher.