Indian markets ended on a higher note on Friday, taking cues from the global markets and corporate earnings back home. Auto, realty and 
metal stocks showed strength while banks ended in the red.

Indices opened in the green and tapered off as traders booked profits at higher levels. The choppy market got support from positive European stocks and moved higher to close the week on a positive note.

Markets will remain rangebound for some time while stock specific movement will be seen. We see Sensex in the range of 13500-15500 and are advising investors to take long term view on pharmaceuticals, entertainment and hospitality space, said Nilesh Doshi, head of research, Techno Stock Broking.

Bombay Stock Exchanges Sensex closed at 15378.96, up 147.92 points or 0.97 per cent from Thursdays close. The broader index touched an intra-day high of 15418.61 and low of 15168.52.

National Stock Exchanges Nifty ended at 4568.55, up 44.80 points or 0.99 per cent. The index touched an intra-day high of 4578.75 and low of 4504.85.

Market breadth remained positive with 1750 advances against 926 declines. BSE Midcap Index gained 1.67 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved up 1.81 per cent.

Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Auto Index was up 5.14 per cent, BSE Realty Index gained 4.26 per cent and BSE Metal Index climbed up 2.39 per cent. However, the BSE Bankex declined 0.88 per cent.

Tata Motors (9.72%), DLF (6.49%), Maruti Suzuki (6.35%), Tata Steel (6.06%) and Jaiprakash Associates (5.16%) were amongst the top Sensex gainers.

Bharti Airtel (-0.89%), Sun Pharmaceuticals (-2.21%), HDFC (-1.65%), State Bank of India (-1.59%) and Reliance Industries (-1.20%) were amongst the index losers.

Bharti Airtel has gone for share split of Rs 10 each into 2 equity shares of Rs 5 each.

European markets were in the green led by gains in banks; and the US markets were likely to open higher. Dow Jones stock futures was up 0.32 per cent, S&P 500 stock futures gained 0.25 per cent and Nasdaq 100 futures moved 0.05 per cent lower.

Results diary: 
Fortis Healthcare reported a 700% jump in first quarter net profit to Rs 7.6 crore and 27% growth in revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Total revenue stood at RS 188.5 crore. EBIDTA for the quarter grew by 35% to Rs 31.2 crore compared with Rs 23.1 crore for the corresponding period last fisca. Consolidated profit after tax increased seven times to Rs 7.6 crore as against Rs 0.9 crore last year. The company assumed charge of operations and management of SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai, adding 280 beds to the network. The overall bed capacity of Fortis' network now stands at 3,300 beds. The scrip closed 0.85 per cent higher.

Hindustan Construction Company Ltd posted a net profit of Rs 181.922 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, down from Rs 308.427 million in the corresponding quarter of 2008. Total income of the company also decreased to Rs 8778.988 million from Rs 8783.317 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Shares of HCC ended flat at Rs 111.30 per share on the BSE.

Bharat Forge reported standalone net profit of Rs. 96 lakhs for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, a huge plunge from Rs. 26.56 crore posted in the corresponding quarter of 2008. The company's net sales stood at Rs. 351.58 crore compared with Rs. 637.36 crore for the quarter ended June 2008. The stock surged to close 14.06 per cent higher.