Mumbai, Oct 19 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday closed 321 points higher as a rally picked up strength in the second half of the day.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,883.36 points, closed at 17,069.84 points (provisional), up 321.55 points or 1.92 percent from its previous close at 16,748.29 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended higher, 1.98 percent or 99.65 points up at 5,137.15 points.
Broader markets were also in the green with the BSE 500 index ending 1.67 percent up. The BSE midcap index was up 1.27 percent, while the BSE small cap index closed 0.67 percent higher.
The market breadth at the BSE was positive with 1,659 stocks on the advance, 1,153 declining and 113 unchanged.