The BSE benchmark Sensex today spurted by over 350 points to regain the 19,000 mark after more than two months as investors purchased blue-chips, led by Reliance Industries, on easing food inflation.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex spurted by 351.33 points to 19,078.30, a level last seen on April 29 as all the sectoral indices ended higher.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose 103.50 points to 5,728.95. It touched the day’s high of 5,737.15.

Trading sentiment bolstered as food inflation fell for the second week in a row to 7.61 per cent for the week ended June 25 from 7.78 per cent in the previous week.

A mixed trend in the Asian markets and higher opening in Europe as the investors awaited a decision from the European Central Bank on interest rate to tackle high inflation boosted the trading sentiment here.

The rally was headed by Reliance Industries and Infosys, which have together 21 per cent weightage on the Sensex. RIL shot up by 2.08 per cent to Rs 870.35 and Infosys Technologies 1.44 per cent to Rs 2,995.15.

RIL surged after the Oil Ministry referred its $7.2-billion deal for sale of stake in 23 oil and gas properties to the UK-based BP to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.

The FMCG sector index gained the most by rising 2.6 per cent to 4,086.83 as Nestle India rose 0.68 per cent to Rs 4,296.55 and Hindustan Unilever 1.79 per cent to Rs 335.45. The realty sector was the second best performer by adding 2.25 per cent to 2,183.40.

As buying activity spilled over a wide-front, the mid-cap sector index rose 1.12 per cent to 7,039.52 and the small-cap index 1.08 per cent to 8,447.99.

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