European markets continued to trade higher for a second day in a row on July 4 ahead of UK general elections. The FTSE edged 0.86 percent higher to 8,241.26 and the DAX was up by nearly half a percent at 18,455.27. The CAC also ended 0.91 percent higher at 7,701.23.
The US markets remained shut on July 4 for Independence day. In the previous trading session, the benchmark indices S&P 500 and Nasdaq had extended their rally to new highs during intraday trade.
The GIFT Nifty traded 0.22 percent lower at 24,364.50, despite the bullish run of the Indian indices earlier during the day.
Indian indices extended their rally for yet another day as several major IT and pharma stocks outperformed. Nifty created a fresh all-time high of 24,401 during intraday trade while it ended flat-to-positive at 24,302.15. Sensex also reached a new high of 80,392.64 and ended 0.07 percent lower at 80,049.67. Top market gainers included HCLTech, Sun Pharma, TCS, Infosys and Tata Motors which traded between 1.3 to 2.75 percent higher.
DIIs net sold Rs 2,375.18 crore in Indian equities while the FIIs/FPIs continued to buy for a second day in a row, with net purchase at Rs 2,575.85 crore.
Earlier during the day, the Asian indices edged higher owing to strong global cues. Nikkei traded 0.82 percent higher at 40,913.65 and the Hang Seng was up 0.28 percent at 18,028.28.
Crude gained for a third day in a row, up 0.02 percent at $83.90. Brent also traded 0.15 percent higher at $87.47.
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