Mumbai, Feb 11 (Inditop.com) A benchmark index for Indian equities closed 230 points higher Thursday, buoyed by gains in major Asian markets.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,928.28 points, shut shop at 16,152.59 points, up 230.42 points or 1.45 percent from its previous close.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 4,826.85 points, against the previous close at 4,757.2 points, a gain of 1.46 percent or 69.65 points.

Broader markets were also in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 0.78 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 0.82 percent higher.

Auto, energy and realty stocks gained the most.