Equities rise on positive global cues, strong rupee

Mumbai: Positive global cues, along with a strong rupee and healthy buying in banking, capital goods and consumer durables stocks, gave a fillip to the Indian equity markets on Wednesday.

The key indices closed with gains close to half a per cent each.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) retained its stay in the 9,100-plus region and rose by 43 points or 0.47 per cent to 9,143.80 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 29,463.01 points, provisionally closed at 29,543.83 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 134.31 points or 0.46 per cent, from the previous close at 29,409.52 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,535.04 points and a low of 29,439.42 points during the intra-day trade.

In contrast, the BSE market breadth was bearish -- with 1,184 advances and 1,646 declines.

On Tuesday, the benchmark indices closed with gains on the back of massive inflow of foreign funds and value buying.