New Delhi, May 5 -- The benchmark indices ended higher on Monday, 4 May supported by gains in blue-chip stocks and state election outcomes that largely matched market expectations, boosting investor sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 355.90 points, or 0.46%, to close at 77,269.40, after surging as much as 997.25 points, or 1.29%, to an intraday high of 77,910.75. Meanwhile, the 50-share Nifty 50 advanced 121.75 points, or 0.51%, to settle at 24,119.30.

Experts believe that the BJP's victories in three of five assembly elections are likely to reinforce perceptions of political stability and lift market sentiment. They also pointed to record GST collections and stronger-than-expected auto sales growth as indicators of resilient under...