Healthy macro-data lifts Indian equities

Healthy macro-data, coupled with broadly positive Asian indices and value buying, lifted the Indian equities markets on Thursday.

The key domestic indices provisionally closed with substantial gains of more than half a per cent each, as healthy buying was witnessed in healthcare, automobile, and metal stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up by 53.30 points or 0.61 per cent to 8,778 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,223.85 points, provisionally closed at 28,301.27 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 145.71 points, or 0.52 per cent, from the previous close at 28,155.56 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,327.84 points and a low of 28,146.19 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was in favour of the bulls -- with 1,807 advances and 992 declines.

On Wednesday, the benchmark indices were pulled lower by increased chances of an upcoming US rate hike and disappointing quarterly results.

The NSE Nifty fell by 67.60 points or 0.77 per cent to 8,724.70 points, and the BSE Sensex plunged by 183.75 points, or 0.65 per cent down to 28,155.56 points.

--IANS

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