Mumbai: Driven by a bright overall economic outlook with a six per cent plus GDP growth for 2004-05 and heavy FII inflows, the market today (Dec 14, 2004) ended 57 points higher extending its gains for the second consecutive day.

The BSE Benchmark 30-share Index opened firm at 6280.56 and gradually moved upwards to the intra-day high of 6331.57 before ending the day at 6325.53 as against yesterday's close of 6268.72, a net rise of 56.81 points or 0.91 per cent.

Investors seemed to be enthused by the Mid-Year Review released yesterday, which projected India as one of the fastest growing economies even at a relatively lower growth of six per cent plus for the current year.

Despite approaching year-end, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), which generally begin booking profits in the last month of the calendar year, have continued to pump in funds in the Indian bourses.

FIIs reported hefty net investments of Rs 1233.10 crore during last week and were believed to be heavy buyers in index-based counters during the trading session.

Operators and retail investors too were heavy buyers but have shifted their focus to mid-cap shares from B1 and B2 sections, which provided good investment opportunity.

The market leader RIL (Reliance Industries) continued to attract brisk activity and ended with moderate gains even as investors discounted the standoff between the two Ambani brothers over the differences on "ownership issues".

SBI, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Satyam Computers, Grasim, BHEL, Bharti Tele-Venture, ITC, ONGC and Maruti Udyog also scored impressive gains.