Indian share prices closed 0.24 percent higher in choppy trade Wednesday as the benchmark Sensex index edged closer to the key 12,000-point level, dealers said. Metal, steel and engineering stocks rose on buying interest in mid-sized and small-cap companies. Trade overall was lacklustre as offices closed early to mark the end of a 10-day religious Ganesha festival across the state.
The 30-share Sensex rose 28.61 points to 11,933.21. Gainers led losers 1,466 to 1,062 on volume of 30.97 billion rupees (670 million dollars). "The market opened strongly with a promise to cross the 12,000-mark but the absence of sustained buying weakened trends. We should see more consolidation as the key level approaches," said a dealer at brokerage Jamnadas Morarjee.
National Aluminium (Nalco) rose 4.25 rupees or two percent to 210.7. Jindal Steel stock rose 61.2 rupees or four percent to 1,588.2 rupees. Engineering firm Larsen and Toubro was up 88 rupees or 3.57 percent to 2,554.5 rupees.