The stock market continued its upward trajectory for the second consecutive session on Friday, with the Nifty crossing the 25,300 mark intraday for the first time since September 19.
At close, the Sensex rose 328.72 points (0.40%) to 82,500.82, while the Nifty gained 103.55 points (0.41%) to settle at 25,285.35.
Market gains were broad-based, as the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices advanced 0.36% and 0.59%, respectively.
The overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms increased to nearly Rs 462 lakh crore, up from Rs 460 lakh crore in the previous session.
Among sectors, all indices ended higher except Nifty Metal (down 0.91%) and IT (down 0.05%).
The Nifty PSU Bank and Realty indices rose 1.67% each, while Pharma gained 1.29% and Healthcare added 1.02%. The Nifty Bank and Financial Services indices also advanced 0.74% and 0.44%, respectively.
On the Nifty50, around 35 stocks closed in the green. Key gainers included Cipla (up 3.63%), SBI (up 2.22%), and Maruti Suzuki India (up 1.88%).
On the losing side were Tata Steel (down 1.46%), TCS (down 1.10%), and HDFC Life Insurance Company (down 0.74%).
Out of 4,343 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,474 advanced, 1,706 declined, and 163 remained unchanged.
As many as 171 stocks hit their 52-week highs, while 105 stocks touched new lows.
Notable gainers included Eternal Ltd, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd, Indian Bank, FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd, Punjab National Bank, Polycab India Ltd, RBL Bank Ltd, State Bank of India, Usha Martin Ltd, and Yes Bank Ltd.
Among those hitting new lows were Clean Science and Technology Ltd, Westlife Foodworld Ltd, Ganesh Housing Ltd, Route Mobile Ltd, and Tips Music Ltd.
On a weekly basis, both the BSE Sensex and Nifty posted gains of 1.5% each.
Analysts believe that the festive season and liquidity inflows from IPOs are likely to sustain the buying momentum in the near term.