BSE Sensex ends on three-month high

The BSE Sensex climbed 0.76 percent on Thursday to its highest close in nearly three months, buoyed by increased risk appetite and easing growth concerns over data showing manufacturing rise in India and other major economies.

The 30-share benchmark index ended 131.27 points higher at 17,431.85 -- in its third straight session of gains and having risen as much as 1.2 percent earlier in the day -- with 21 of its components closing in the green.

The broader 50-share National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty index ended 0.67 percent or 35.20 points higher at 5,270.90 points on Thursday.

Markets reacted largely well to a closely-watched Supreme Court ruling, that quashed 122 telecoms licences issued under a scandal-tainted 2008 sale after larger, established players were seen benefiting.

Bellwether Bharti Airtel climbed 6.8 percent even amid growing uncertainty over the once-booming sector, as Reliance Communications and Unitech, the Indian partner of Norway´s Telenor, fell 3.7 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively.

Export-driven software stocks were among the big gainers, on brightening international growth prospects after manufacturing data from India, China, United States and Germany showed climbs in January.