Indian benchmark indices closed at fresh record highs on Thursday on positive global cues. The BSE Sensex, which crossed the 37,000-mark for the first time earlier in the day, closed 126 points higher at 36,984. Meanwhile, the National Stock Exchange Nifty crossed 11,185.85 points in the morning trade, and closed at 11,167.30.

The stock market rose because of optimism that companies’ earnings growth would improve further, and after the United States agreed on a trade deal with the European Union, Mint reported.

State Bank of India and ICICI Bank were the top gainers on both indices. The other major gainers on the Sensex were Power Grid Corp, ONGC and Axis Bank. Grasim and Eicher Motors were among the top five gainers on Nifty 50.

Maruti Suzuki and Yes Bank were the biggest losers on Sensex and Nifty 50. While Asian Paints, Larsen and Toubro and Tata Consultancy Services performed badly on the BSE, stocks of Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and Titan Company declined on NSE.

Other major Asian markets started on a mixed note. The Hong Kong Hang Seng fell by nearly 126 points, Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed over 27 points down, the Shanghai index was down over 21 points. The Australia ASX All Ordinaries traded flat, closing four points down at 6.337.