Mumbai, Nov 30 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday closed 115 points higher amid volatility largely ignoring latest data which showed the economy grew at 6.9 percent in the quarter ended September — the slowest in over two years.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 15,868.96 points, closed at 16,123.46 points, 115.12 points or 0.72 percent up from its previous close at 16,008.34 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed higher at 4,832.05 points, up 0.56 percent or 26.95 points from its previous close.

Broader markets were, however, still closed on a lacklustre note with the BSE 500 index ending a modest 0.18 percent up. However, the BSE midcap index closed 0.66 percent down and the BSE smallcap index ended 0.73 percent lower.

Consumer durables, realty and auto stocks saw selling but energy and FMCG scrips rose.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,206 stocks advancing and 1,519 on the decline. Another 131 were unchanged.

Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Bharti Airtel, up 3.17 percent at Rs.385.30; ONGC, up 3.06 percent at Rs.265.80; NTPC, up 2.4 percent at Rs.162.05 and Hindustan Unilever, up 2.26 percent at Rs.396.10.

The losers on the benchmark included: ICICI Bank, down 3.01 percent at Rs.714.15; Sterlite Industries, down 2.98 percent at Rs.99.30; Hero MotoCorp, down 2.76 percent at Rs.2,003.25 and Tata Motors, down 2.76 percent at Rs.172.45.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold stocks worth $35 million Wednesday.

Asian markets fell Wednesday after a meeting of European finance leaders failed to come out with any announcement on plans to contain the zone’s debt crisis.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.51 percent lower at 8,434.61 points. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended 1.46 percent down at 17,989.35 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index closed 3.27 percent lower at 2,333.41 points.

European markets rose after a negative start Wednesday.

The UK’s FTSE 100 was ruling 1.15 percent up at 5,398.31 points, DAX was trading 1.76 percent higher at 5,901.89 points.

The French CAC 40 was ruling 1.15 percent higher at 3,061.63 points.

Mumbai, Nov 30 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday closed 115 points higher amid volatility largely ignoring latest data which showed the economy grew at 6.9 percent in the quarter ended September — the slowest in over two years.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 15,868.96 points, closed at 16,123.46 points, 115.12 points or 0.72 percent up from its previous close at 16,008.34 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed higher at 4,832.05 points, up 0.56 percent or 26.95 points from its previous close.

Broader markets were, however, still closed on a lacklustre note with the BSE 500 index ending a modest 0.18 percent up. However, the BSE midcap index closed 0.66 percent down and the BSE smallcap index ended 0.73 percent lower.

Consumer durables, realty and auto stocks saw selling but energy and FMCG scrips rose.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,206 stocks advancing and 1,519 on the decline. Another 131 were unchanged.

Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Bharti Airtel, up 3.17 percent at Rs.385.30; ONGC, up 3.06 percent at Rs.265.80; NTPC, up 2.4 percent at Rs.162.05 and Hindustan Unilever, up 2.26 percent at Rs.396.10.

The losers on the benchmark included: ICICI Bank, down 3.01 percent at Rs.714.15; Sterlite Industries, down 2.98 percent at Rs.99.30; Hero MotoCorp, down 2.76 percent at Rs.2,003.25 and Tata Motors, down 2.76 percent at Rs.172.45.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold stocks worth $35 million Wednesday.

Asian markets fell Wednesday after a meeting of European finance leaders failed to come out with any announcement on plans to contain the zone’s debt crisis.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.51 percent lower at 8,434.61 points. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended 1.46 percent down at 17,989.35 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index closed 3.27 percent lower at 2,333.41 points.

European markets rose after a negative start Wednesday.

The UK’s FTSE 100 was ruling 1.15 percent up at 5,398.31 points, DAX was trading 1.76 percent higher at 5,901.89 points.

The French CAC 40 was ruling 1.15 percent higher at 3,061.63 points.