Sensex closes 224 points higher

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,983.2 points, closed at 19,106.96 points -- up 224.71 points or 1.19 percent from its previous close at 18,882.25 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too shut shop in the green, closing 73.65 points or 1.3 percent higher at 5,728.4 points. Broader markets, nudged higher, with the BSE midcap index closing 0.51 percent up and the BSE smallcap index ending 0.31 percent higher.