Mumbai, Nov. 6 -- The key equity benchmarks extended their winning streak to a seventh consecutive session on Friday, defying a sharp sell-off in global technology stocks. Strong foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows, a recovery in the rupee to a six-month high and expectations of lower crude oil prices supported sentiment. Foreign investors bought Rs 14,975 crore worth of Indian equities on Thursday, marking their largest single-day purchase in nearly six years. The rupee's appreciation to 93.90 against the US dollar further improved the market outlook. Optimism ahead of Diwali added to the positive sentiment. The Nifty settled above 25,000, led by private bank stocks, while media shares declined.

The S&P BSE Sensex jumped 1,718....