The Samvat 2069 ended on a cheerful note with BSE Sensex settling at a new all-time closing high of 21,196.81 on buying in realty, banks, metal and auto shares, amid renewed optimism on the economic front.



The Sensex recorded a handsome gain of 2,526.47 points from the closing of last Samvat 2068 (November 12, 2012).



After gaining 594.24 points in the past three sessions, the 30-share bluechip index on Friday hit a new intra-day high of 21,293.88 before finally closing at 21,196.81 - up 32.29 points, or 0.15 per cent.



The previous intra-day peak of 21,206.77 was set on January 10, 2008. For the week, Sensex rose 513.3 points or 2.5 per cent.



The National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose above 6,300-level after three years by gaining 8.05 points, or 0.13 per cent to 6,307.20. The Nifty registered an all-time high of 6,357.10 on January 8, 2008, and a record close of 6,312.45 on November 5, 2010.



Increased capital infows driven by attractive corporate earnings boosted buying while some investors chose to book profits logged in the recent gains, brokers said.



"Indian markets had a fire-cracker of a week ahead of the festive season. Clearly, the banks called the shots and in that space PSU banks staged a phenomenal turnaround," said Milan Bavishi, Head Research, Inventure Growth and Securities.



Experts said auto shares saw heavy buying on robust sales growth in October.



Of the 20 winners in the Sensex, major contributors included State Bank of India (up 4.67 per cent), M&M (4.12 per cent), Jindal Steel (3.46 per cent), Sesa Sterlite (2.30 per cent), Tata Motors (1.12 per cent) and ICICI Bank (1.10 per cent).



Meanwhiel, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the momentum in the export growth is expected to continue in the remaining part of current fiscal, stating that a bumper crop harvest is seen arriving on good monsoon.



He added that the market seemed to be happy but cautioned investors against excessive exuberance.



With inputs from PTI



