Closing Bell: Nifty above 16, 200, Sensex adds around 300 points; Metal worst hit, bank, FMCG gain

The Indian stock market extended gains for the third straight session as benchmark indices ended higher by more than half per cent each on Friday. The broader Nifty50 managed to close above 17, 200, while the Sensex ended higher by around 300 points near 54,500.  

Meanwhile, Nifty midcap and small too ended with minor gains as the former gained around 0.2%, while the latter jumped 0.3% in the closing trade on Friday.  

Except for Auto, Metal and Realty, which saw partial profit booking, all other sectors witnessed some buying interest on Monday. Nifty Metal was the top drag among sectoral indices with nearly one per cent cut, while Pharma, Bank and FMCG gained the most. 

Among stocks, L&T led the barometer indices with more than four and half per cent gains. Similarly, Power Grid, Tata Motors, NTPC, Coal India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Dr Reddy's gained amid improving sentiment.  

HDFC Life, Tata Steel, ONGC, Maruti, IndusInd Bank, TCS, Asian Paints and HCL Tech declined in an otherwise positive market.