Mumbai, Jul 3 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Tuesday closed just 18 points higher, shedding most of the gains made earlier in the day.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,457.95 points, closed at 17,417.63 points (provisional), up 0.11 percent or 18.65 points from its previous close at 17,398.98 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended 0.16 percent higher at 5,286.95 points.

The BSE IT index was down 29.08 points, while the FMCG index and the power index were down 23.09 points and 3.45 points respectively.

The consumer durable index, however, was up 184.77 points, followed by the realty and PSU index which were 33.73 and 65.42 points higher respectively.

Major Sensex gainers were Bharti Airtel, up 3.24 percent at Rs.319.90; Hindalco Inds, up 2.19 percent at Rs.123.75; HDFC, up 2.07 percent at Rs.674.90; Gail India, up 1.91 percent at Rs.362; Coal India, up 1.54 percent at Rs.355.15.

The main losers were Jindal Steel, down 1.81 percent at Rs.499.50; BHEL, down 1.76 percent at Rs.231; TCS, down 1.51 percent at Rs.1241.20; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.97 at Rs.442.70; and ITC, down 0.92 percent at Rs.247.80.