After volatility since opening, the Nifty 50 gained strength in the last couple of hours of trade and closed half a percent higher, though it still traded within the previous day's range. The index needs to decisively close above 24,500, a key hurdle that also coincides with the 100-day EMA, for further rallies towards the 24,600 mark, followed by the 24,800-24,900 zone.