By IANS,
Mumbai: A benchmark index for Indian equities markets closed 1.11 percent higher Thursday on strong buying support in energy, realty and auto stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which opened at 17,917.11 points, closed at 18,044.64 points, up 1.11 percent or 197.40 points from its previous close at 17,847.24 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 18,072.61 points and low of 17,862.88 points in the intraday.
ONGC soared 4.44 percent at Rs.274.30. Hero Honda jumped almost four percent at Rs.1,873.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange settled 1.10 percent or 58.80 points higher at 5,407.75 points.
At the broader markets, the BSE midcap index closed 0.14 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index settled with a gain of nearly half percent.
Most sectoral indices also closed in the positive with oil and gas index gaining nearly three percent. The BSE metal and auto indices gained 1.50 percent.