Sensex, Nifty Edge Higher; IT, Auto Shares Outperform

Seven of 11 sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange were trading higher led by the Nifty Auto index's 1.5 per cent gain.

The Indian equity benchmarks edged higher on Friday led by gains in information technology and auto shares. The Sensex was trading in a band of 244 points and Nifty 50 index touched an intraday high of 15,823.25 and low of 15,744.85. The upside was capped as baking and financial services shares came under selling pressure. As of 1:49 pm, the Sensex was up 170 points at 52,823 and Nifty 50 index advanced 59 points to 15,838. Meanwhile, European markets were trading lower with England's FTSE 100 index declining 0.9 per cent, France's CAC40 index falling 0.36 per cent and Germany's DAX slipping 1 per cent. Back home, seven of 11 sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange were trading higher led by the Nifty Auto index's 1.5 per cent gain. Nifty Media, Information Technology, Pharma, Realty and FMCG indices also roe between 0.7-1 per cent.