MUMBAI: Indian equities closed marginally in the green Wednesday, with the Sensex gaining 0.37 percent.
The 30-scrip Sensex, which opened at 8,473.25 points, closed at 8,458.53 points (provisional), a rise of 31.24 points or 0.37 percent from its previous close.
Similarly, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained 1.09 percent from its last close to end at 2,650.9 points.
However, broader market indices like the BSE midcap index closed 0.24 percent lower, while the BSE smallcap index was down 0.59 percent.
Earlier, markets slipped back into the red around noon with the Sensex 0.46 percent below its last closing figure.
The Sensex, which opened at 8,473.25 points, was at 8,376.95 points, 0.6 percent or 50.34 points lower than its previous close.
The S&P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was at 2,617.9 points, 0.23 percent below its last close of 2,622.4.
The BSE midcap index was 0.36 percent lower, while the BSE smallcap index was down 0.42 percent.
Of the 13 sectoral indices on BSE, the index for metal and realty stocks gained the most.
Among the gainers on the Sensex were Hindalco, up 3.35 percent at Rs.38.55; Sterlite Industries, up 2.52 percent at Rs.244; ACC, up 1.74 percent at Rs.539.30, and Grasim, up 1.68 percent at Rs.1,385.
The losers were ICICI, down 2.94 percent to Rs.287.70; HDFC, down 2.79 percent at Rs.1,166.90; BHEL, down 2.12 percent at Rs.1,366; and RIL, down 1.46 percent at Rs.1,181.60.
In other Asian markets, a key Japanese index, the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed at 7,290.96, gaining 0.85 percent over its previous close.
The Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.67 percent higher than its last close.
US stocks Tuesday continued falling to their lowest levels in more than a decade after government officials said more money would be required before the US financial sector could recover.
The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 37.27 points, or 0.55 percent, to 6,726.02.
The broader Standard and Poor's 500 Index fell 4.49 points, or 0.64 percent, to 696.33, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.84 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,321.01.
