Sensex hits record high at 27,000; pharma shares lead

Mumbai: The BSE Sensex rose as much as 0.5 per cent and just touched to 27,000 and the Nifty gained as much as 0.43 percent to 8,062.25. The 30-share index hit a third consecutive record high while the broader Nifty touched its second straight life high.

Market sentiment was comforted after balance of payments data released on Monday evening showed it in surplus for the third straight quarter. Current account deficit widened from the previous quarter but stayed within comfort.

Cipla Ltd surged as much as 8.7 per cent to a record high after the drugmaker launched an anti-asthma inhaler in Germany and Sweden. Other drugmakers also gained: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is up by 2.4 per cent.