MUMBAI: The benchmark BSE Sensex today jumped by 275 points to settle at an over two-month high of 24,952.74 and also logged its third weekly gain, as foreign funds continued to pump in money amid a firm global cues on dovish stance by the U.S.  Federal Reserve.

Also, the NSE Nifty again topped the 7,600-mark.

Besides, the rupee appreciating to over two-month high of 66.55 against the dollar boosted trading sentiment.

Both the leading indexes surged for a third straight week as BSE Sensex climbed by 234.75 points or 0.94 percent, while NSE Nifty surged 94.15 points or 1.25 percent.

On the day, all the sectoral indexes, except healthcare, ended in green with the shares of IT, metal, realty, banking and auto leading gains.

After opening higher, Sensex stayed in the positive zone throughout the day and hit the day’s high of 24,986.94, before ending 275.37 points or 1.12 percent higher at 24,952.74, its highest closing since January 6.

The index had shed 5.11 points yesterday.

The 50-share NSE Nifty recaptured the crucial 7,600-mark to hit a high of 7,613.60, as it finally settled 91.80 points or 1.22 percent higher at 7,604.35.

Shares of IT giant, TCS emerged as the top gainer among Sensex constituents with a rise of 3.21 percent to Rs 2,427.25 followed by GAIL at 3.13 percent to Rs 364.15.

Overall, 26 scrips, out of 30 Sensex stocks ended higher.

Other winners were Adani Ports (2.66 pc), SBI (2.63 pc), Infosys (2.59 pc), BHEL (2.26 pc), M&M (2.11 pc), Tata Steel (2.10 pc), Axis Bank (1.87 pc), HDFC (1.62 pc), Wipro (1.56 pc), Dr Reddy’s (1.56 pc) and Tata Motors (1.34 pc).

Persistent buying by retail investors also helped mid-cap and small-cap indices gain up to 0.66 percent.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, IT gained the most by 2.31 percent followed by teck 2.17 percent, metal 2.14 percent, realty 1.57 percent, bankex 1.47 percent, auto 1.36 percent and consumer durables 0.87 percent.

Foreign investors bought shares worth a net 744.49 crore yesterday, provisional data showed.

Global markets remained buoyant after the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to scale back its forecasts on hiking interest rates.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite Index ended 0.82 percent and 1.73 percent higher, respectively, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.25 percent. Europe was in a better shape in early trade.

Read Also: Sensex Gains 82 Points In Early Trade

EU To Allow Countries To Scrap Tampon Tax