IANS

Mumbai, Sep 5: Sentiments at Indian equity markets remained damp this week though a key index rose 290 points Friday, after four consecutive losing days.

Chinese markets -- which fell 6.74 percent at the beginning of the week -- primarily contributed to the investor's apprehension, sending bourses across the world southwards.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) fell 233.22 points or 1.46 percent over previous Friday's close and ended trade at 15,689.12 points.

The broader S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) followed the Sensex, moving down 1.1 percent from its last weekly close to end at 4,680.4 points.

Mid-sized companies in terms of market capitalisation did not lose as much with the BSE's midcap index closing 0.52 percent lower. Smaller companies ended on the gaining side with the BSE smallcap index moving up 0.43 percent.

Data with markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) showed that foreign funds were net buyers during the week, having bought scrips worth $39 million.

The Sensex Monday ended at 15,666.64 points, down 255.7 points or 1.61 percent, while the broader-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed lower at 4,662.1 points, down 1.48 percent.

The selling continued Tuesday as the Sensex lost another 115.45 points or 0.74 percent to close at 15,551.19 points. The Nifty too aped the Sensex and closed lower at 4,625.35 points, down 0.79 percent.

Wednesday was a lacklustre day of trade with the Sensex in a tight range. It ended at 15,467.46 points, down 83.73 points or 0.54 percent from its previous close. The Nifty followed the Sensex to end at 4,608.35 points, down 0.37 percent.

Thursday was the fourth consecutive day of loss. The Senses gave up the slender gains it had garnered in afternoon trade, and closed 69 points lower. The Nifty too ended lower at 4,593.55 points, down 0.32 percent.

The Sensex ended the losing streak Friday, rising 290.79 points or 1.89 percent to shut shop at 15,689.12 points, while the Nifty closed up 1.86 percent at 4,679.2 points.

The top top weekly gainers on the Sensex included Maruti Suzuki (up 8.8 percent), Hero Honda (up 6.9 percent), Hindustan Unilever (up 4.9 percent), Reliance Capital (up 3.7 percent) and Tata Motors (up 3.6 percent).

Among the worst losers were Bharti Airtel (down 6.9 percent), BHEL (down 5.1 percent), Reliance Industries (down 4.5 percent), Ranbaxy Labs (down 3.8 percent) and Tata Power (down 3.7 percent).