Banks, metals boost indices to weekly gains

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty advanced for the second straight session Friday, powered by buying in metal and telecom stocks following a firm trend in global markets.

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After swinging between gains and losses for most of the session, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 223.86 points, or 0.28 per cent, to settle at 81,207.17. During the day, the index touched a high of 81,251.99 and a low of 80,649.57, gyrating 602.42 points.

Optimism over a potential Fed rate cut in October, a weakening dollar, and stable base metal prices drove the rally in metal indices

VINOD NAIR | HEAD OF RESEARCH, GEOJIT INVESTMENTS

As many as 2,710 stocks advanced while 1,490 declined and 139 remained unchanged on the BSE.

The 50-share NSE Nifty edged higher by 57.95 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 24,894.25.

On the weekly front, the BSE benchmark climbed 780.71 points or 0.97 per cent, and the Nifty went up by 239.55 points or 0.97 per cent.