Sensex ends higher, auto stocks gain

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The BSE Sensex closed higher on Monday, with auto stocks leading the gains after the finance minister proposed excise duty cuts to boost sales hurt by a slowing economy.

The benchmark BSE Sensex ended 0.48 percent higher at 20,464.06, while the broader Nifty closed up 0.41 percent at 6,073.30.

The interim budget by P. Chidambaram largely stuck to expected lines, delivering on fiscal deficit commitments by containing expenditure.

(Reporting by Indulal PM; Editing by Prateek Chatterjee)