Sensex ends above 18,000 at 7-month closing high; aviation stocks surge ::ET

The Sensex extended its winning streak for the sixth straight session on Wednesday and breached the psychological resistance level of 18,000 for the first time since February 23 as 'liquidity-driven rally' resumed after the German Constitutional Court ratified European Stability Mechanism with certain conditions. Back home, the market discounted the flat July IIP data and pinned hopes on policy reforms after the aviation minister said he's hopeful the government will allow foreign direct investment into the sector. The 30-share index ended at 18,011.24, up 158.29 points or 0.89 per cent. The index touched a high of 18,012.89 and a low of 17,884.96.

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The National Stock Exchange's Nifty closed at 5,432.80, up 42.80 points or 0.79 per cent. It touched a high of 5,435.55 and a low of 5,393.95. The BSE Midcap Index was up 0.40 per cent and the BSE Smallcap Index gained 0.44 per cent. The BSE Metal Index surged 2.15 per cent, the BSE Capital Goods Index gained 1.50 per cent and the BSE Auto Index moved up 1.38 per cent. The BSE Power Index was down 0.99 per cent and the BSE Healthcare Index slipped 0.44 per cent. Shares of SpiceJet surged 7.12 per cent, Jet Airways rallied 5.22 per cent and beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines shot up 7.37 per cent. (All figures are provisional)