Mumbai, May 19 : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Thursday closed 73 points higher on a range-bound trading day.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,166.64 points, closed at 18,159.81 points (provisional) -- up 73.61 points or 0.41 percent from its previous close at 18,086.2 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange shut shop at 5,437.75 points, up 0.32 percent.

Broader markets ended weak with the BSE midcap index closing 0.65 percent down and the BSE smallcap index 0.51 percent down.(IANS)