Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets ended 91 points up Tuesday bringing an end to a rather dull day of trading. Metals, state-run firms and realty stocks rose the most.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — which opened at 16,633.81 points — shut shop at 16,692 points, up 90.8 points or 0.55 percent from its previous close at 16,601.2 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-stock S&P CNX Nifty, too, closed in the green at 4,985.85 points, against the previous close at 4,952.6 points, a gain of 0.67 percent.

Broader market indices also moved up with the BSE midcap index up 0.78 percent and the BSE small cap index ending 0.99 percent higher.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,694 stocks advancing, 1,107 scrips declining and 84 remaining unchanged.

Among the top gainers were Tata Steel, up 3.97 percent at Rs.577.60; Bharti Airtel, up 3.84 percent at Rs.322; Hindalco, up 3.65 percent at Rs.142.15; and NTPC, up 3.27 percent at Rs.214.95.

Among top losers were ACC, down 1.92 percent at Rs.837.85; ONGC, down 1.28 percent at Rs.1,161.80; TCS, down 1.19 percent at Rs.724.10; and M&M, down 1.04 percent at Rs.1,009.85.

Data with markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) showed that foreign funds were net sellers Tuesday, having sold scrips worth $55.2 million.

Most major Asian benchmark equity indices were up Tuesday with the Japanese Nikkei, backed by a weaker yen, closing 1.91 percent or 194.56 points up at 10,378.03 points.

The Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, rose 0.69 percent to 21,092.04 points, ending a five-day loss-making streak.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, also closed in the green, up 0.69 percent at 1,655.54 points.

However, in China, the Shanghai composite index shut shop 2.32 percent lower at 3,050.52 points.

European markets were ruling higher backed by gains in pharma and energy stocks, though overall trading volumes remained low.

The FTSE 100 index, benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 1.05 percent higher at 5,349.69 points.

The French index, CAC 40, was 0.68 percent up at 3,898.45 points, while its German peer, the DAX, was trading 0.37 percent higher at 5,952.26 points.