Mumbai, July 9 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday closed 189 points higher than its previous close, with telecom stocks outperforming the market.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,667.85 points, closed at 17,840.98 points (provisional), 189.25 points or 1.07 percent up from its previous close at 17,651.73 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,352.1 points, up 1.04 percent from its previous close at 5,296.85 points.

Broader markets also saw healthy buying. The BSE midcap index ended 0.8 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index up 0.44 percent.