Strong Asian and European markets and optimism of a better-than-expected corporate performance in the quarter ended June 2011 lifted market sentiments here, with benchmark Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange rising by 351 points or 1.9% on Thursday to close above the 19,000 mark for the first time in over two months.

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The Sensex closed at 19,078.3 while the broader Nifty at the National Stock exchange rose by 103.5 points or 1.8% to close at 5,728.95.
The gains were driven by stocks in the FMCG, real estate and capital goods sectors.
"A firm trend in the European markets and overnight gains in the US markets aided the sentiments today," said Amar Ambani, head of research at India Infoline.
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