Helped by fag-end buying, the BSE benchmark Sensex on Thursday climbed nearly 180 points to new six-week high of 20,128.41 on the back of strength in HDFC Bank, Infosys and ONGC shares, amid a firming global trend.

The Sensex, which had gained 98 points in the previous session, spurted by 179.68 points, or 0.90 percent to end at 20,128.41, its highest level since 30th May.

On similar lines, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 64.74 points, or 1.08 percent to 6,038.05 led by realty, banking and consumer durables shares.

Also, SX40 index, the flagship index of MCX-SX, gained 125.19 points, or 1.05 percent, to close at 12,044.15.

Brokers said markets remained bullish on steady inflow of better quarter earnings by bluechips led by 1.79 percent gain in Infosys.

HDFC Bank gained 3.22 percent and ONGC rose 4.42 percent. However, TCS weakened ahead of results.

“Banks are showing signs of short term reversal after it dived for two straight sessions,” said Milan Bavishi, Head Research, Inventure Growth and Securities.

Experts said a firming Asian trend and higher opening in Europe after US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke stated the bank had no plan to wind down its stimulus until the economy was back on track, further influenced sentiments here.

Axis Bank surged 3.83 percent to Rs 1,238.40 on better-than-expected earnings.

Besides, FMCG majors Hindustan Unilever and ITC extended gains on hopes of good monsoon.

Reliance Industries inched up to Rs 917.05. In 30-share Sensex, 23 stocks closed with gains while seven ended lower.

Sectorally, BSE Realty sector index gained the most (2.53 percent), followed by BSE Banking index (2.04 percent) and BSE Consumer Durables (1.72 percent).

Global financial services firm Macquarie on Thursday joined clutch of banks that lowered India’s growth forecast for this fiscal.

However, markets ignored the lower estimates.