Mumbai, March 17 (IANS): The Indian equity markets on Friday closed with marginal gains as investors' sentiments were lifted on the back of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council's approval of draft bills on the previous day.

The key indices provisionally closed on a flat note -- marginally in the green -- as FMCG stocks witnessed healthy buying activity.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was slightly up by 6.35 points or 0.07 per cent at 9,160.05 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 29,755.74 points, provisionally closed at 29,648.99 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 63.14 points or 0.21 per cent from the previous close at 29,585.85 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,824.62 points and a low of 29,601.86 points during the intra-day trade.

In contrast, the BSE market breadth was bearish -- with 1,575 declines and 1,243 advances.

On Thursday, positive global cues, coupled with a strong rupee and fresh inflows of foreign funds, infused healthy buying sentiments and brought cheer to the equity markets.

The NSE Nifty was up 68.90 points or 0.76 per cent -- to close at 9,153.70 points. The Sensex rose by 187.74 points or 0.64 per cent to 29,585.85 points.