Sensex closes at a 30-month high

The Sensex rose one per cent on Tuesday to mark its highest close in thirty months as consumer goods shares rallied to record highs with investors shifting to defensive stocks in an uncertain economic environment. It rose 0.71 per cent to end at 20,302.13, rising for a fifth consecutive session.

The Reserve Bank of India's move to further curb gold imports was also seen as a positive, given that the prospective measures would help narrow the current account deficit.

Gains also tracked higher global shares that rose towards five-year highs on Tuesday helped by China's plans for avoiding a hard landing in its slowing economy.