Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian stock markets Wednesday closed 326 points higher, having rebounded after a sharp sell-off during the day as government figures showed that industrial output had fallen to an 18-month low.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,353.34 points, closed at 19,522.49 points (provisional) – up 326.15 points or 1.7 percent from its previous close at 19,196.34 points.

It slipped into the red, touching an intra-day low of 19,048.56 points, after government figures showed that industrial production grew at a slow 2.7 percent in November.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too closed higher, shutting shop at 5,862.3 points, up 108.2 points or 1.88 percent.

Broader markets also moved up after initial dullness, with the BSE midcap index closing 1.79 percent up and the BSE small cap index ending 1.48 percent higher.