Mumbai, May 13 : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday slipped from its intra-day highs but still closed 248 points higher, as traders covered short positions and cheered results of assembly elections.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,362.45 points, closed at 18,584.23 points (provisional), up 248.44 points or 1.35 percent from its previous close at 18,335.79 points.

It had moved up to an intra-day high of 18,724.54 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange shut shop higher at 5,563.8 points, up 1.42 percent.

Broader markets ended in the green too, with the BSE midcap index closing 0.92 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.41 percent up.(IANS)