Positive end to week’s trade

MUMBAI - Indian equities markets ended in the positive terrain Friday despite weak global markets, with a key index finishing 2.04 percent over its previous close.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) pulled the shutters down at 9,424.24 points, 2.04 percent or 187.96 points higher than its previous close.

The S&P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed higher at 2,874.8 points, 1.8 percent up over its last close of 2,823.95.

The BSE midcap index was up 1.31 percent, while the BSE smallcap index gained 1.08 percent over its previous close.

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, realty and metal indices gained the most, implying significant buying of these stocks.

Among major gainers on the Sensex were Jaiprakash Associates (up 9.63 percent to Rs.76.25), DLF (up 7.39 percent at Rs.177.20) and Hindalco (up 6.51 percent at Rs.49.05).

Top losers were Sun Pharma (down 6.1 percent at Rs.1,073.45), BHEL (down 2.6 percent at Rs.1,320.45) and Tata Motors (down 0.6 percent at Rs.149.65).

In Asian markets, a key Japanese index, the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed down 3.12 percent at 7,994.05.

However, the Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ended 0.94 percent higher than its last close.

In US markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 2.7 percent lower than its previous close, while the Nasdaq composite fell 3.24 percent from its last close.