Markets eke out gains in range-bound trade

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.

Bharti Airtel was the top gainer in the Sensex pack on Friday, zooming 8.42 per cent, following reports that the government is looking at setting a floor price or minimum tariff for mobile services.

Other gainers included SBI, Kotak Bank, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, M&M and Tata Steel, rising up to 5.19 per cent.