Mumbai, March 2 (Inditop.com) A benchmark index for Indian equities closed 2.26 percent higher Tuesday, backed by gains in auto and metal stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,438.45 points, closed at 16,801.6 points (provisional), 372.05 points or 2.26 percent higher than its previous close at 16,429.55 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended trade at 5,026.95 points against the previous close at 4,922.3 points, a gain of 2.13 percent or 104.65 points.

Broader markets too saw a buying spree with the BSE midcap index ending 2.31 percent higher and the BSE small cap index closing 2.43 percent up.