Markets see marginal gains amid mixed sentiment

Mumbai: Market benchmark BSE Sensex closed with modest gains on Friday, led by a spurt in Bharti Airtel and SBI, amid encouraging global cues.

The 30-share index, which opened on a firm note, came under selling pressure at the fag-end of the session as investors turned cautious over weak growth signals.

After climbing over 363 points during the day, the Sensex ended 70.21 points, or 0.17 per cent, higher at 40,356.69. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 23.35 points, or 0.20 per cent, to end at 11,895.45.

During the holiday-shortened week, the Sensex inched up 33.08 points or 0.08 per cent, while the Nifty dipped 12.7 points or 0.10 per cent.

Investors remained on the edge after weak macroeconomic releases this week, experts said, adding that forecasts of slower GDP growth over the past few days also weighed on market mood.

Sectorally, BSE telecom index rallied the most at 8.40 per cent, followed by bankex, teck, healthcare and finance, rising up to 0.90 per cent.

However, power, FMCG, IT, oil and gas, auto and realty lost up to 0.76 per cent. Broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices ended on a mixed note.

Bourses in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul settled on a positive note on Friday, while Shanghai ended in the red.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee appreciated 14 paise to 71.81 against the $ intra-day. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, slipped 0.42 per cent to $62.02 per barrel.