The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex on Thursday rose by a whopping 100 points to close at a historic high of 6327.79 points as investors were encouraged by sustained foreign fund inflows and the fall in global crude oil prices.

The NSE Nifty closed at 2000.45 points, up 38 points.

Riding on positive investor interest, the BSE Sensex soared in afternoon trade and stayed well above 6,300-mark.

Reliance, after a steady opening session, firmed up towards the close to finish 2.57% higher (Rs 14) at Rs 542. HLL was up a rupee at Rs 144. ITC, after a mixed outing, finally ended down a per cent (Rs 12) at Rs 1,278.

SBI soared 7.60% (Rs 41) to Rs 582 on strong buying support.

HPCL notched up nearly 8% gains (Rs 27) to Rs 370. ONGC shot up 2.27% (Rs 18) to Rs 832.

HDFC soared 4.50% (Rs 35) to Rs 804, after slipping sharply in Wednesday's trades. Zee advanced 5% (Rs 8) to Rs 157.

Auto, pharma and cement stocks also exhibited gains on sustained buying support.

Tech counters, however, continued to trade at lower levels and ended weak for the second consecutive session. Infosys lost 1.24% (Rs 26) to Rs 2,082. While Satyam lost a per cent (Rs 2) to Rs 424, Wipro closed down a tad at Rs 755.

Technology, capital goods, banking and FMCG scrips were among the biggest gainers.

Market analysts forecast that the Sensex would climb further as the current rally is being driven by strong investor sentiment, huge FII funds inflow, strong corporate earnings, and good valuations.