New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS): A benchmark index of the Indian equities market closed Wednesday's trade in positive territory for the fourth consecutive day, as information technology (IT) and healthcare stocks rose.

The 30-scrip sensitive (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,643.85 points, closed at 20,722.97 points, up 88.76 points or 0.43 percent from its previous day's close of 20,634.21 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,750.52 points and a low of 20,629.56 points in the day's trade.

The S&P BSE information technology (IT) index was up 138.53 points, while the healthcare index edged higher by 119.35 points and capital goods index gained 99.78 points. The consumer durables index was up 63.34 points, and the technology, entertainment and media (TECk) index rose 62.28 points.

However, the S&P BSE metal index declined 96.69 points, followed by fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) index, which fell 11.72 points, automobile index, down 11.19 points, and power index, down 6.33 points.

The wider 50-scrip NIFTY of the national stock exchange (NSE) closed the day's trade up 25.65 points or 0.42 percent at 6,152.75 points.

The prominent Sensex gainers were Sun Pharma up 2.35 percent at Rs.623.30; Infosys, up 2.01 percent at Rs.3,753.95; Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), up 1.49 percent at Rs.2,198.45; Wipro, up 1.35 percent at Rs.564.55; and HDFC Bank, up 1.33 percent at Rs.669.35.

The major losers included Tata Power, down 2.02 percent at Rs.77.70; Sesa Sterlite, down 1.79 percent at Rs.186.40; Hero MotoCorp, down 1.54 percent at Rs.1,947.05; Tata Steel, down 1.31 percent at Rs.374.05; and NTPC, down 1.31 percent at Rs.132.10.

Among the Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.52 percent down and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.34 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was up 1.11 percent.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 was trading 0.32 percent down, while Germany's DAX Index was lower by 0.39 percent. The French CAC 40 Index declined 0.19 percent.

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