Sensex extends gains for 2nd straight day, gains 179 pts; Nifty tops 21,700; IT stocks shine

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for a second straight day on Friday, following gains in IT, tech and capital goods shares amid fresh foreign capital inflows. After slipping briefly during the late afternoon trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex made a quick recovery and jumped 178.58 points or 0.25 per cent to settle at 72,026.15. During the day, it soared 308.91 points or 0.42 per cent to 72,156.48. The Nifty climbed 52.20 points or 0.24 per cent to 21,710.80.