Mumbai, Aug 18 (IANS): Indian equity markets were lifted by positive global cues and short covering on Thursday.

Consequently, both the key equity indices provisionally closed the day's trade in the green, as healthy buying was witnessed in banking and healthcare stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up 49.20 points or 0.57 per cent to 8,673.25 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,077.64 points, provisionally closed at 28,123.44 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 118.07 points or 0.42 per cent from the previous close at 28,005.37 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,214.17 points and a low of 28,077 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,658 advances and 1,030 declines.

On Wednesday, the benchmark indices had closed in the red on the back of negative global cues and profit booking.

The barometer index had closed lower by 59.24 points or 0.21 per cent, while the NSE Nifty slipped by 18.50 points or 0.21 per cent.