Stock market extends rally for third consecutive session

New Delhi, March 18 -- Indian stock markets extended their rally for a third consecutive session on Wednesday, with the Nifty crossing the 23,850 mark, supported by broad-based buying across most sectors.

At close, the Sensex was up 633.29 points, or 0.83 percent, at 76,704.13, while the Nifty rose 196.65 points, or 0.83 percent, to 23,777.80.

Broader markets also outperformed, with the Nifty Midcap 100 gaining 2 percent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rising 1.6 percent. The total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies increased to over Rs 443 lakh crore from Rs 438 lakh crore earlier.

Among sectors, all indices ended higher except FMCG and metal.

Key sectors, including realty, IT, auto, media, capital goods, consumer durables, telec...