By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Thursday closed 358 points higher as traders bought stocks which were battered over the past few days even as political clashes in Egypt weighed on global markets.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,113.73 points, closed at 18,449.31 points, up 358.69 points or 1.98 percent from its previous close at 18,090.62 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended 1.74 percent higher at 5,526.75 points.
Broader markets closed in the green too with the BSE midcap index ending 1.09 percent up and the BSE smallcap index moving up 1.21 percent.
All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE ended in the green with realty, capital goods, metals and banking scrips gaining the most.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,763 stocks advancing compared to 1,037 scrips on the decline, while 184 stocks remained unchanged.
Among gainers on the Sensex were DLF, up 7.42 percent at Rs.243.95; Bharti Airtel, up 5.12 percent at Rs.339.80; Hindalco Industries, up 4.62 percent at Rs.245.70; and Tata Motors, up 4.08 percent at Rs.1,156.15.
The only loser on the Sensex was Bajaj Auto, which closed 0.51 percent lower at Rs.1,211.45.
According to data available with market regulator SEBI, foreign institutional investors sold scrips worth $10.1 million Thursday.
Most other Asian markets like Hong Kong and China were closed on account of the annual Lunar New Year holidays.
The Japanese Nikkei edged lower to close 0.25 percent down at 10,431.36 points.
European markets were trading cautious as protestors clashed with pro-government supporters during another day of deadly violence in Egypt.
The tensions in the country and other parts of Middle East and North Africa led to investors dumping riskier assets.
Around mid-day, the French CAC 40 was trading 0.93 percent lower at 4,028.84 points, while the UK’s FTSE was ruling 0.24 percent down at 6,010.12 points.
The German DAX was ruling flat too, up a modest 0.14 percent at 7,193.57 points.