Mumbai, Aug. 20 -- The headline equity benchmarks extended their uptrend and hit fresh intraday highs in mid-afternoon trade supported by positive global cues, a stronger rupee and short covering after the recent seven-session losing streak. The expiry of weekly Sensex derivatives contracts on the BSE also kept traders active, with position adjustments and rollover-related activity likely to influence intraday volatility. The Nifty hovered near the 24,250 level. Private bank shares advanced after declining in the past two consecutive trading sessions.

At 14:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 663.90 points or 0.86% to 77,573.58. The Nifty 50 index gained 164 points or 0.68% to 24,242.55.

In the broader market, the BS...