Mumbai, Aug 4 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday rose sharply in late trade to close 102 points higher than its previous close, backed by gains in bluechip IT stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,115.56 points, was at 18,217.44 points, 102.61 points or 0.57 percent up from its previous close at 18,114.83 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut 0.52 percent up at 5,467.85 points.
Broader markets indices closed mixed. The BSE midcap index closed flat, while the BSE smallcap index ended 0.53 percent higher.
IT, telecom and capital goods scrips led the gainers pack.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,554 scrips advancing, compared to 1,370 stocks declining, and 141 remaining unchanged.
Among the gainers on the Sensex were TCS, up 4.43 percent at Rs.870; Wipro, up 3.96 percent at Rs.428.85; Infosys, up 2.99 percent at Rs.2,867.80; and BHEL, up 2.17 percent at Rs.2,518.25.
Among the major losers were Bharti Airtel, down 1.67 percent at Rs.323.15; L&T, down 1.19 percent at Rs.820; Tata Steel, down 1.06 percent at Rs.541.10; and RIL, down 1 percent at Rs.1,015.90.
According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors bought scrips worth $146.53 million Wednesday.
Asian bourses traded lower on disappointing US economic data.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.5 percent lower at 9,548.59 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended trade 0.43 percent up at 21,549.88 points.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index closed 0.44 percent higher at 2,638.52 points. The South Korean Kospi closed flat.
European markets slipped as a chunk of corporate earnings results failed to enthuse traders.
The FTSE was trading 1.09 percent lower at 5,337.56 points, while the German DAX was 0.26 percent down at 6,291.24 points.
The French CAC 40 was ruling 0.5 percent lower at 3,728.66 points.
