Sensex up 76 points, at 6-month high

The BSE Sensex rose 0.4 per cent on Tuesday to its highest close in six months, helped by a late bout of short-covering, although investors remained cautious after a recent rally in the market. Gains were led by the State Bank of India and Tata Motors after better than expected results, while automobile and infrastructure-focused stocks rose on hopes of an easing in interest rates. The main 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange stock index closed up 75.73 points or 0.43 per cent at 17,848.57 points, but trading was limited to a narrow range through most of the session, with investors avoiding large positions. Fifteen of its components ended lower. The National Stock Exchange index closed 0.5 per cent higher at 5,416.05 points.