Indian equity benchmarks ended sharply higher in a volatile trading session on May 6, with the Nifty settling above the 24,300 mark amid rising optimism over a possible US-Iran agreement that could ease geopolitical tensions.

Supportive global cues, a sharp decline in crude oil prices and strong buying in banking stocks helped lift market sentiment, while late-session buying pushed indices near the day's highs.

The 30-share benchmark index ended at 77958.52 up by 940.73 points or by 1.22 % and then NSE Nifty was at 24330.95 up by 298.15 points or by 1.24 %.

Sensex touched intraday high of 78022.78 and intraday low of 76773.25 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 24356.5 and intraday low of 23997.9

The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (Rs. 4519.55,+6.60%), Trent Ltd. (Rs. 4292.60,+3.91%), Asian Paints Ltd. (Rs. 2518.85,+3.56%), State Bank of India (Rs. 1095.60,+3.38%), HDFC Bank Ltd. (Rs. 796.60,+3.11%), among others.

The top losers of the BSE Sensex pack were Reliance Industries Ltd. (Rs. 1437.85,-1.80%), Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (Rs. 4008.35,-1.18%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (Rs. 315.75,-1.11%), NTPC Ltd. (Rs. 394.70,-1.00%), HCL Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 1188.90,-0.97%), among others.

Realty index was at 6365.46 up by 170.74 points or by 2.76%. Embassy Developments Ltd. (Rs. 57.99,+19.99%), Anant Raj Ltd. (Rs. 556.40,+6.92%), Lodha Developers Ltd. (Rs. 948.50,+4.48%), Godrej Industries Ltd. (Rs. 1863.20,+2.97%), Phoenix Mills Ltd. (Rs. 1837.55,+2.44%),.

Power index was at 8220.33 down by -38.66 points or by -0.47%. Siemens Energy India Ltd. (Rs. 3186.35,-3.50%), Hitachi Energy India Ltd. (Rs. 33349.10,-2.60%), ABB India Ltd. (Rs. 7180.75,-2.03%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (Rs. 315.75,-1.11%), Suzlon Energy Ltd. (Rs. 54.34,-1.02%),

The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 4680 , shares advanced were 3038 while 1425 shares declined and 217 were unchanged.