Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets hit a record high of 26,888.13 points Monday, surpassing its previous peak of 26,674.38 points scaled Aug 28.

The markets hit the record high before closing (provisionally) at 26,873.68 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) crossed the 8,000-mark for the first time and hit a record high of 8,035 before closing at 8,031.80 points -- 77.45 points or 0.97 percent up from its previous close.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,733.18 points, closed the day's trade at 26,873.68 points (provisional), up 235.57 points or 0.88 percent from the previous day's close at 26,638.11 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,888.13 points and a low of 26,732.39 points in the trade so far.

All the sectors were trading in green and the rally was led by capital goods, consumer durables, banking, metal and auto.

The S&P BSE capital goods index surged by 402.52 points, bank index was higher by 331.43, metal index went up by 323.12, automobile index moved up by 232.40 points, oil and gas index got augmented by 187.13 and consumer durables index inched up by 145.14 points.

However, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) index was down 46.38 points

Investor sentiment was bullish after the Indian economy beat expectations and showed sign of revival, by expanding 5.7 percent during the first quarter of the current financial year.

This was the highest growth yet in nine quarters, official data compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed Aug 29.