Domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for a second straight session on Friday, supported by strong momentum in metals stocks and value buying in heavyweights such as Tata Steel, Eternal and UltraTech Cement. Investors are now turning their focus to domestic inflation figures, which are due later in the day. Advertisement

At the closing bell, the Sensex rose 449.53 points, or 0.53%, to settle at 85,267.66, extending its two-day gain to 876 points. The Nifty50 also climbed 148.40 points, or 0.57%, to finish at 26,046.95.

Tata Steel emerged as top gainer on the Sensex, rising 3.40% to Rs 172. Eternal followed with a 2.37% gain, while UltraTech Cement, L&T, Maruti Suzuki and Bharti Airtel advanced 2.35%, 1.60%, 1.51% and 1.46%, respectively.

Five stocks, namely B

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