(PTI)

EXTENDING its winning run to the fifth session, BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 269 points to hit six-month high of 38,024 led by rally in banking stocks amid soaring foreign fund inflows, strengthening rupee and positive global cues.

After rallying nearly 500 points in afternoon trade, the Sensex settled 269.43 points, or 0.71 per cent, higher at 38,024.32. The NSE Nifty closed 83.60 points, or 0.74 per cent, up at 11,426.85. The 30-share index breached the 38,000-mark for the first time in six months. It had ended at 38,090.64 on September 14, 2018. Broader indices, however, ended on a mixed note, with BSE midcap ending 0.55 per cent higher and BSE smallcap slipping 0.34 per cent.

Kotak Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, ending 4.31 per cent higher. PowerGrid, TCS, ICICI Bank, SBI, HCL Tech, NTPC, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, HDFC duo, ONGC, Vedanta and IndusInd Bank too rose up to 2.84 per cent. On the other hand, HUL, Yes Bank, ITC, Bharti Airtel, RIL, Sun Pharma and Axis Bank fell up to 2.16 per cent. Sectorally, the BSE power, bankex, teck, oil and gas, IT and finance indices gained the most, rising up to 1.94 per cent; while BSE telecom, FMCG and energy indices fell up to 1.79 per cent.