Mumbai, Jul 13 (IANS): A benchmark index for the Indian equities markets made up for some of the losses in the previous session, closing 184 points higher Wednesday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which opened at 18,468.82 points, closed at 18,596.02 points, up 184.4 points or 1 percent from its previous close at 18,411.62 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended 1.07 percent higher at 5,585.45 points.

Broader markets too closed in the green with the BSE midcap index ending 1.3 percent up and the BSE smallcap index closing 0.97 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive with 1,859 stocks advancing, 1,012 on the decline and 139 remaining unchanged.

Consumer durables, realty, oil and gas and auto stocks were among the top gainers. IT stocks ended dull as Infosys continued to fall after posting disappointing quarterly figures Tuesday.

Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: DLF, up 2.95 percent at Rs.226.85; M&M, up 2.2 percent at Rs.718.55; ONGC, up 1.97 percent at Rs.287.05 and RIL, up 1.89 percent at Rs.864.55.

There were only four losers on the 30-scrip benchmark: Infosys, down 0.36 percent at Rs.2,784.20; Tata Power, down 0.34 percent at Rs.1,284.60; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.33 percent at Rs.331.40 and Wipro, down 0.17 percent at Rs.414.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth $205.28 million Wednesday.

Asian markets nudged up after Tuesday's fall with some even completely reversing the previous session's losses.

The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.37 percent up at 9,963.14 points.

The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange was ruling 1.22 percent up at 21,926.88 points, while the Chinese Shanghai composite index was ruling 1.48 percent up at 2,795.48 points.

Among European bourses, Britain's FTSE 100 was ruling flat at 5,865.7 points, the French CAC 40 was ruling 0.13 percent lower at 3,769.26 points.

The German DAX was up 0.28 percent at 7,194.43 points.