Healthy macro-data buoys equity markets

Mumbai, June 1 Healthy macro-economic data nudged the Indian equity markets higher on Wednesday, even as profit booking, lower crude oil prices and a weak rupee capped gains.

Consequently, the key indices provisionally closed the day's trade flat -- marginally in the green, as healthy buying was witnessed in FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) and IT (information technology) stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up by 19.85 points, or 0.24 per cent, at 8,179.65 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 26,684.46 points, provisionally closed at 26,713.93 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- up 45.97 points or 0.17 per cent from the previous close at 26,667.96 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,857.25 points and a low of 26,671.86 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was marginally tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,329 advances and 1,302 declines.

The key indices on Tuesday had closed flat -- marginally in the red -- led by profit booking.

The barometer index had edged down by 57.64 points or 0.22 per cent, while the NSE Nifty had slipped by 18.40 points or 0.22 per cent.