109: 26.08.2020 | Auto, bank stocks drive markets higher.

The BSE Sensex ended at 39,073.92, gaining 230.04 points or 0.59%. The Nifty closed at 11,549.60, adding 77.35 points or 0.67%.  Midcap and smallcap indices rose for the 8 consecutive sessions, since January 2020.. Markets breadth remained in favour of bulls. For every loser, there were two gainers. Sectorally auto and banking index contributed most. Auto stocks gained on expectations of government measures to help out the ailing sector. Pharma and FMCG stocks were dull. IndusInd Bank, Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Auto were top gainers on the Sensex. Among laggards were Bharti Airtel, Ultratech Cement, Asian Paint, Maruti and L&T.