Sensex hits 53,000 intraday for first time

The sensex ended on a flat note after scaling the 53,000-mark for the first time on Tuesday as investors booked profits at higher levels. A depreciating trend in the rupee, which closed 26 paise lower at 74.37, also weighed on sentiment, traders said.

After touching an intraday peak of 53,057, the sensex settled 14 points higher at 52,589, marking its third straight session of gains. Similarly, the broader Nifty rose 26 points to close at 15,773. Markets opened strong on the back of global cues and pick-up in the pace of vaccination. 

Nearing Mount 53k, however, the sensex witnessed profit-taking across the board in afternoon trade, he noted.