Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday closed 144 points higher on what was a tight range-bound trading day. Broader markets also gained even as oil prices remained stable globally.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,286.42 points, closed at 18,350.74 points, up 144.58 points or 0.79 percent from its previous close at 18,206.16 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop 0.77 percent higher at 5,522.4 points.
Oil prices eased to about $105 a barrel in the US as high levels of crude stocks erased fears of supply shortages because of low supplies from the Middle East, especially Libya.
Broader markets also ended in the positive, with the BSE midcap index closing 0.78 percent up, while the BSE smallcap moved up 0.67 percent.
Most of the sectors saw buying support with realty and auto stocks gaining the most.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,599 stocks advancing compared to 1,259 scrips on the decline. A total of 140 stocks remained unchanged.
Among the gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Hindalco, up 4.25 percent at Rs.204.75; M&M, up 2.88 percent at Rs.664.35; BHEL, up 2.82 percent at Rs.2,050.60 and TCS, up 2.76 percent at Rs.1,093.45.
Losers on the benchmark index included Maruti Suzuki, down 0.6 percent at Rs.1,168.60; Bajaj Auto, down 0.42 percent at Rs.1,353.30; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.3 percent at Rs.268.80 and RIL, down 0.25 percent at Rs.1,010.10.
Other Asian markets ended mixed as worries over the economic impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan weighed heavy on investor's minds.
The Japanese Nikkei average closed marginally in the red at 9,435.01 points, down 0.15 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng nudged up 0.39 percent to 22,915.28 points, while China's Shanghai Composite closed 0.06 percent lower at 2,946.71 points.
European stocks were trading in the green as fresh data pointed to continued growth in the economy of the Euro zone.
Around mid-day, the French CAC 40 was trading 0.55 percent up at 3,935.29 points, while Britain's FTSE was ruling 0.85 percent higher at 5,844.88 points.
The German DAX was ruling 0.86 percent up at 6,862.74 points.