The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)benchmark Sensex on Tuesday ended over 21 points higher onsome buying in fundamentally strong stocks as investorsremained hopeful of more reform measures by the government toboost the economy.
The Sensex, which had lost 79 points in the previoussession, recovered by 21.07 points, or 0.11 per cent, at18,694.41.
Of 30 Sensex stocks, 12 gained while 18 closed lower. The BSE smallcap index rose by 0.53 per cent to 6,903.15and mid-cap index by 0.46 per cent to 6,483.49.
Brokers said investors remained confident of governmentgiving a further push to economic reforms, particularly afterthe Cabinet on Monday approved Rs 1.9 lakh crore debtrestructuring of state electricity boards.
Power sector stocks, led by Torrent Power, ended withgains. Torrent rose by 1.78 per cent to Rs 171.10, Adani Powerwas up 1.09 per cent and Reliance Power 0.94 per cent.
Brokers said mild profit-booking trimmed the gains butmarkets more or less were in buoyant mode.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty roseby 4.30 points, or 0.08 per cent to 5,673.90 led by stocks ofrealty and FMCG.