Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday closed 96 points higher, paring some of its intra-day gains.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened higher at 18,080.29 points, closed at 18,168.99 points (provisional), 95.09 points or 0.53 percent up from its previous close at 18,073.9 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader

50-share S&P CNX Nifty followed a similar trajectory to close 0.69 percent higher at 5,456.65 points.

Broader markets also did well with the BSE midcap index closing 0.98 percent up and the BSE smallcap index ending 0.63 percent higher.