Sensex gains for second week; lenders rise

Mumbai: The BSE Sensex and the Nifty rose on Friday to their highest close in more than a month, extending gains for a second consecutive session on hopes state elections results on Sunday will show strong support for the main opposition party ahead of general polls due next year.

Blue chips rose again. Axis Bank Ltd provisionally rose 3.8 per cent, while ICICI Bank Ltd ended 0.7 per cent higher.

The BSE Sensex provisionally gained 0.39 per cent, while the broader Nifty ended up 0.51 c ent, marking their highest close since November 1.