New Delhi, Aug. 20 -- Following a seven-day losing streak, the bulls finally returned to Dalal Street in Thursday's trade, August 20, as both benchmark indices posted healthy gains, bringing much-needed optimism to the market.

Despite the ongoing standoff between the US and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, strong buying in banking and NBFC stocks, along with gains in FMCG and technology shares, provided support, with the Nifty 50 eventually closing 0.55% higher at 24,211.

The Sensex also posted a solid gain of 0.75% to close at 77,488. The broader markets registered similar gains, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 index surging 0.67% and the Nifty Midcap 100 rising 0.50%.

Barring chemicals, all major sectoral indices closed in the ...