Sensex closes above 25,000 first-time ever

  Boosted by strong foreign fund buying, the sensex closed 214 points up at 25,020 on Thursday, its first ever close above the 25,000 mark. The day's session pushed investors' wealth, measured by the BSE's market capitalization, to a new record peak of Rs 88.3 lakh crore. Brokers said with the euphoria relating to the new government gradually sinking in, the gains in the market from here on will be more interspersed with profit taking. Metal stocks led the rally on Thursday, with Sesa Sterlite and Hindalco among the major gainers. M&M and HDFC Bank were among the top laggards. P 21 laggards