Sensex hits fresh record high on firm global cues

New Delhi: Sensex opened at fresh record high on Wednesday as optimism prevailed over firming global cues and buying by domestic institutional investors.

The 30-share BSE index spurted by 227.91 points, or 0.62 percent, to hit new high of 36,747.87, surpassing its previous record of 36,740.07 recorded on July 13.

Major gainers include Adani Ports, HDFC Bank, Sun Pharma, ONGC, Coal India, HDFC Ltd, Asian Paint, Wipro, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki, Infosys, PowerGrid, L&T, RIL and TCS, rising up to 1.65 percent.

The rupee firmed up by 12 paise to 68.33 against the US dollar on increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.

Asian shares followed Wall Street higher on Wednesday as a bullish outlook from the head of the U.S. central bank buoyed the dollar, lifted Tokyo shares to a one-month top and sent gold to a one-year trough.

Japan`s Nikkei leapt 1 percent as a weakening yen promised to fatten exporters` profits.

MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.5 percent and Shanghai blue chips 0.6 percent.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stuck with an upbeat assessment on the U.S. economy while downplaying the impact of global trade risks on the outlook for rate rises.

With Agency Inputs