Sensex provisionally closes up as macro data buoys markets (Third Lead)

Hopes of a rate cut by the apex bank on the back of strong macro economic data buoyed the Indian equities markets on Monday, leading to a barometer index to provisionally close with gains of over 250 points.

The better-than-expected wholesale price index (WPI) and a modest factory output data cheered investors. The hopes of a healthy consumer price index (CPI) data, expected to be released later in the day, further supported the markets.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) had closed 11.96 points or 0.05 percent down on September 11 -- the last trading day.

On Monday, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) surged 73.80 points or 0.95 percent to provisionally close at 7,863.10 points.

The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 25,706.87 points, provisionally closed at 25,829.40 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 219.19 points or 0.86 percent from the previous day's close at 25,610.21 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 25,891.73 points and a low of 25,531.07 points in the intra-day trade.