* Closing Bell: Equities end higher; banks, auto gain

MUMBAI: Broad based buying helped benchmarks end in the positive terrain. Banks and auto stocks were the major gainers while oil&gas stocks dragged.

Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex closed at 14,493.20, up 42.85 points or 0.30 per cent. It touched a high of 14,495.27 and low of 14,286.38.

National Stock Exchange’s Nifty ended at 4343.25 up 8 points or 0.18 per cent. The broader index touched a high of 4,336.65 and low of 4,283.65.

BSE Midcap Index closed 0.12 per cent up at 5,748.14 and BSE Smallcap Index ended 0.10 per cent lower at 6,915.21.