Sensex closes in green

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed in green Friday, gaining over 207 points or more than one percent as the rupee recovered and overseas markets gained.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,386.53 points, ended the day's trade at 18,519.44 points, up 206.50 points or 1.13 percent from the previous day's close at 18,312.94 points.

In Friday's trade, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 63.30 points or 1.17 percent up at 5,471.75 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,546.60 points and a low of 18,210.75 during the day.

This was the second consecutive gain that the market made in the previous six trading sessions.

The markets had slumped below the 18,000-mark at 17,905.91 points in Wednesday's trade -- the lowest in 11 months.

Even the volatility seen in the rupee value against the dollar eased a day after Finance Minister P. Chidambaram called for calm in the currency markets saying the government was taking measures to improve the situation.

The partially-convertible rupee had slumped to a new record low of 65.56 against a dollar Thursday surpassing its previous record low of 64.54 touched Wednesday.

The currency was at Rs.64.04 against a dollar around 4.15 p.m. India Standard Time from its previous close of 64.55 against a dollar on Thursday.