After trading in the positive territory throughout the day, the 30-share Sensex closed higher by 373.76 points, or 0.48 per cent, at 78,954.76. As many as 11 Sensex components closed higher, 16 with losses and three remained unchanged.
The broader NSE Nifty traded in a narrow range during the day and closed marginally higher by 11.35 points, or 0.05 per cent, at 24,636. During the day, the benchmark hit a high of 24,677.05 and a low of 24,604.15.
Since Monday, both the benchmark indices have been facing divergence after stock exchanges introduced a new auction mechanism for shares having futures and options (F&O) contracts.
Rupee falls 14 p vs USD
The rupee depreciated 14 paise to close at 95.22 against the US dollar on Thursday, on slight gains in the US Dollar Index and a modest increase in US Treasury yields.
Forex traders said the rupee was pressured by a slight recovery in the US Dollar Index and foreign fund outflows, even as lower crude oil prices provided some underlying support.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 95.13 against the greenback and traded in a range of 95.12-95.24 during the session. It eventually settled at 95.22, lower by 14 paise from its previous close. (PTI)