Benchmark indices rallied in trade led by heavyweight ITC and supported by solid gains in Bank of Baroda. Expiry for the July F&O series ended on a good note. The Sensex ended the day with gains of 141 points, while the Nifty gained 46 points in trade.

Shares in Bank of Baroda surged 8 per cent after the company reported a good set of quarterly numbers.

Shares in ITC also joined gainers after its results met expectations. Pharma shares led from the front with Cipla and Dr Reddy's gaining 3 per cent each.

Among non index gainers was Sun TV which jumped a huge 4 per cent after the 10 per cent rally seen on Wednesday on hopes that the company's license would be renewed.

Metal stocks continued to be weak in trade with NMDC hitting a 52-week low and Hindalco and Tata Steel also dropping in trade.

SpiceJet which had rallied sharply following a good set of numbers saw some profit booking and gave up gains in trade.

Software stocks were subdued in trade with TCS and Infosys among the losers, while the top Nifty loser was Sun Pharma.

Meanwhile, markets across Asia ended the day mostly higher while European markets were trading flat.

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