Sensex closes 264 points up (Third Lead)

Breaking a streak of three consecutive losses, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets -- the 30-scrip BSE Sensitive Index (Sensex) -- made healthy gains during Thursday's closing session.

The barometer index provisionally closed Thursday's trade up 264 points or 0.92 percent as automobile, capital goods and consumer durables stocks made healthy gains. The markets rose after Asian markets made gains on the back of easing of monetary policy in South Korea and Thailand.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also made healthy gains during the day's trade. It provisionally closed 76.05 points or 0.87 percent up at 8,776 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,798.61 points, closed the day's trade at 28,923.11 points (3.30 p.m.), up 263.94 points or 0.92 percent from the previous day's close at 28,659.17 points.

The Sensex had touched a high of 28,971.01 points and a low of 28,772.71 points in the intra-day trade.