Market at close | Stock markets rise for 3rd session, Sensex gains 190 points [Video]

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the third straight session on Friday (March 22), following gains in index majors L&T, ITC and Maruti and a record rally in the US markets after the Federal Reserve indicated three rate cuts this year.

After falling in early trade, markets staged a smart recovery. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 190.75 points, or 0.26%, to settle at 72,831.94. However, a sharp correction in IT and tech stocks limited the rise. During the day, it jumped 474.43 points, or 0.65%, to 73,115.62.

All sectoral indices, except for IT, closed in green. The Nifty FMCG sector saw a rise of 2%. The NSE Nifty advanced 84.80 points, or 0.39%, to 22,096.75. The BSE-listed companies gained a market capitalisation of ₹2.3 lakh crore on Friday.

From the Sensex basket, Sun Pharma, Maruti, IndusInd Bank, Titan, ITC, Tata Motors, Larsen & Toubro and JSW Steel were the major gainers. On the …