Sensex, Nifty hit new all-time high levels in early trade

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ticked higher to hit lifetime high levels today, helped by hectic buying in market heavyweights ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Infosys amid a firm trend in global equities.

Besides, fresh foreign fund inflows boosted investor confidence, traders said.

In a range-bound session, Sensex and Nifty settled at their new closing all-time high levels amid intense demand for realty, consumer durable and utility stocks.

Rising for the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 308.37 points or 0.40 per cent to settle at a new closing peak of 77,301.14. During the day, it jumped 374 points or 0.48 per cent to hit the fresh lifetime peak of 77,366.77.