Sensex jumps 216 points after exit polls give BJP an edge

Exit polls showing the BJP winning Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections gave a fresh push to domestic markets today, with the benchmark Sensex climbing over 216 points, up for the second session.

Key indices Sensex and Nifty started the day on a strong footing after the exit polls predicted a clear win for the BJP in these two states, which lifted investor spirits.

During the session, the Sensex scaled a high of 33,621.96 before finishing at 33,462.97, up 216.27 points, or 0.65 per cent, over the previous closing.

For the broader 50-share NSE Nifty, the close came in at at 10,333.25, a gain of 81.15 points, or 0.79 per cent, after hitting a high of 30,373.10.

The rupee soaring to a three-month high at 64.01 against the American currency positively impacted sentiment.

For the second straight week, the Sensex rose, notching up a significant gain of 212.67 points, or 0.63 per cent. The Nifty was up 67.60 points, or 0.65 per cent, during the week.

Shares of metal, realty, consumer durables, auto, capital goods and banking hogged limelight on a flurry of buying by investors, said traders.

On two straight days, the Sensex has gained 410 points and the Nifty over 140 points.