Mumbai, Mar 21 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets soared in the second half of trade Wednesday, closing 302 points higher, helped by robust buying in capital goods and realty stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,301.16 points, closed at 17,618.21 points (provisional), up 302.03 points or 1.74 percent compared to its previous close at 17,316.18 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed higher at 5,371.4 points, up 96.55 points or 1.83 percent from its previous close.
Broader markets were in the green too with the BSE 500 index ending 1.89 percent up. The BSE midcap was up 2.17 percent, while the BSE smallcap index closed 1.29 percent higher.
The market breadth was positive with 1,727 stocks advancing, 1,149 on the decline and 133 remaining unchanged.