The BSE benchmark index, Sensex touched a new peak of 17,361.47, and maintained its strength in the previous trading hour. Selected stocks from banking, pharma, metal and realty led the advancements, whereas auto stock traded mixed.

The BSE Midcap rose 0.93% and Smallcap rose 0.85%.

Out of total 2,598 stocks traded at the BSE counter: 1,471 progressed, 1,068 slumped while 59 remained unaltered.

Amongst sectoral indices : BSE Auto slipped 0.44%, BSE IT dipped 0.45%, BSE Bankex arose 1.39% and BSE Realty climbed up 1.04%.

The key gainers at the Sensex included Tata Steel which zoomed 8.81% to Rs 834.60, followed by Reliance Energy that soared 6.04% to Rs 1184.75 and Hindalco increased 3.87% to Rs 170.45. Reliance Comm, Ranbaxy, SBI, Cipla, ITC and Maruti also moved up.

Laggards at the BSE were : Bajaj Auto, which declined 1.23% to Rs 2497.00, M&M decreased 0.98% to Rs 744.90 and TCS dipped 0.44% to Rs 1,057.00.

Ambuja Cement, Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors and ONGC also slipped.