The key Indian equity indices provisionally closed in the green on Thursday supported by healthy buying in IT, Teck (technology, media and entertainment) and banking stocks.
However, selling pressure in metal, healthcare and realty stocks limited the gains.
According to market observers, gains were further trimmed as caution prevailed ahead of the release of macro economic data such as the Index of Industrial Production and the Consumer Price Index later in the evening.
At 3.30 p.m., the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) provisionally closed higher by 41.50 points or 0.40 per cent at 10,458.65 points.
The barometer 30-scrip Sensex of the BSE, which opened at 33,987.55 points, closed at 34,101.13 points -- up 160.69 points or 0.47 per cent from its previous session's close.
The Sensex touched a high of 34,177.44 points and a low of 33,924.88 during the intra-day trade.
The BSE market breadth was, however, bearish with 1,519 declines and 1,142 advances.
TCS, Infosys, Axis Bank, Tata Motors (DVR) and Asian Paints were the top gainers on the BSE. Top losers were Dr Reddy's Lab, Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, State Bank of India and Adani Ports.
On the NSE, HCL, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys led the gainers while Vedanta, Lupin and Dr Reddy's Lab were among the top losers.
On Wednesday, the indices settled on a flat-to-positive note after tepid trade throughout the session.
The Nifty50 rose 14.90 points or 0.14 per cent to close at 10,417.15 points, while the Sensex closed at 33,940.44 points -- up 60.19 points or 0.18 per cent.
--IANS
rrb/in/mr
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