Sensex gains 346 points to close at 18,567

Indian stock market indices ended Monday’s session sharply higher, as equities in Europe rose to a four-week high after factory production in UK grew at a record pace in the third quarter.

Stealing a march over other sectors were metal stocks, with the BSE Metal Index gaining the most by 3.42 per cent. Oil & gas came next with 2.08 per cent lead, followed by banking at 2.04 per cent.

Of the key indices, Nifty ended the day at provisional 5580.25, advancing 100.85 points or 1.84 per cent from the previous close. The 50-share National Stock Exchange index recorded a high of 5589.40 after opening at 5479.55.

Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex closed at 18,567.17, higher by 345.74 points or 1.90 per cent. The 30-share index touched a high of 18,600.30 after opening at 18,124.29.

Top Sensex gainers were Tata Steel (6.47%), Hindalco (4.61%), Sterlite (4.01%), ICICI Bank (3.60%), Jaiprakash Associates (3.41%), Reliance Industries (3.20%), State Bank of India (3.12%), Maruti Suzuki (3%), Infosys Tech (2.47%), BHEL (2.34%).

The only losers were Hero Honda (-1.62%), Reliance Communications (-0.37%), Hindustan Unilever (-0.26%) and NTPC (-0.08%).