Healthy Q2 results cheer markets; Sensex closes 142 points up (Third Lead)

Better-than-expected quarterly results, stable rupee value and recovering Asian markets propelled a barometer index of the Indian equity markets to provisionally close with gains of 142 points or 0.52 percent on Monday.

Initially, both the bellwether indices opened higher on the back of last week's positive momentum on easing concerns over a rate hike possibility in the US this month.

However, caution prevailed over the upcoming quarterly results which included earnings figures of blue chips.

Nevertheless, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) made gains during the day's trade. It provisionally closed higher by 37.45 points or 0.45 percent at 8,275.60 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (S&P Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,305.62 points, provisionally closed at 27,356.25 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- 141.65 points or 0.52 percent higher from its previous close at 27,214.60 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,387.91 points and a low of 27,246.79 points during the intra-day trade.

The barometer index closed the previous trading session on October 16 with gains of 204 points or 0.76 percent.