Mumbai, Dec 23 (Inditop.com) The benchmark index of the Indian equities markets, backed by handsome gains in metal stocks and heavyweight scrips like RIL, ICICI Bank, shut shop 544 points up Wednesday.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,723.96 points, ended at 17,236.36 points (provisional), up 544.36 points or 3.26 percent from its previous close at 16,692 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 5,146.6 points, against the previous close at 4,985.85 points, a gain of 3.22 percent.

Broader market indices also closed in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 1.53 percent and the BSE small cap index ruling 1.48 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,874 stocks advancing, 954 declining and 94 remaining unchanged.