Sensex ends above 145 pts; ONGC top gainer

Asian markets finished broadly higher on Thursday with shares in Hong Kong leading the region. The Hang Seng is up 1.75% while Japan's Nikkei 225 is up 0.68% and China's Shanghai Composite is up 0.27%.

Mahindra & Mahindra shares soared 37 points or 2.56% at Rs. 1,466.25 on the announcement of positive June sales. The company reported 20% growth in its domestic sales and also grew by 17% in its export sales. Overall auto sales for June was positive for the company. The stock opened at Rs. 1,429.90 slightly above its previous closing of Rs. 1,428.95. Total traded quantity was at 1.15 lakh shares surpassing its two weeks average quantity of 0.78 lakh shares. 

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European markets are higher today with shares in France leading the region. The CAC 40 is up 0.43% while Germany's DAX is up 0.25% and London's FTSE 100 is up 0.24%.

At 1.26 pm, Sensex was trading at 27,171.12 up 171.40 points or 0.63%, while Nifty surged 50 points at 8,338.15. 

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Nifty Bank trading at 18,055.90 rising 120 points or 0.67%. Federal Bank was among top gainer at Rs. 58.50 up 1.56%. 

NSE Nifty crossed it 8,300 mark on Friday early trading session. The 50-stock index was trading at 8,339.20 up 51.45 points or 0.62%. 

Pharma stock rallies on Friday morning session. The index was trading at 15,659.11 above 166 points. It opened to its all time low of 15,542.43 but was higher from its previous closing of 15,493. Out of 63 stocks, investors hold their position with 47 advances, 7 declines, 2 remaining unchanged and 7 not traded. Shilpa Medicare was top gainer by soaring over 10% at Rs. 549.70. Other noticable gainers were Marksans at Rs. 49.10 up 3.15%, Dr. Reddy Laboratories at Rs. 3,461 rising 2.29%. Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark and Dishman Pharmaceuticals were trading in the range of 1.40%-1.60%. 

Sensex surged 131.27 points or 0.49% at 27,130.99. The index opened at 27,064.33 above from previous close of 26,999.72. It recorded 26 advances and 6 declines. 

Strong cues from global market, SGX Nifty flat

The rupee was trading at 67.509 up 0.011 points or 0.02%. The local currency opened at 67.52.