New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- India's largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, continued its upward run as the stock remained higher for the fourth straight session on Friday, October 17, gaining 1.47% to Rs.1,009 and inching closer to its record high of Rs.1,018.85, touched in July.

The rally comes ahead of the bank's September quarter results, scheduled for release tomorrow, October 18. The Street expects a muted performance, but any surprise on the margins front, which analysts anticipate, could propel the stock to remain higher and may boost the overall market sentiment.

"Strong results from banking majors such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank can provide fundamental support to the market. If Reliance Industries, which has been a laggard for so...