In volatile trade, the stock markets overcame the initial setback on Friday (August 08) with the benchmark Sensex gaining more than 50 points to remain above 15,000-level at the closing time after declining below this crucial level during late morning trade.

Finally, the 30-share bellwether index on the Bombay Stock Exchange ended the day at 15,167.82, up 50.57 points, on account of some buying action witnessed in metal and capital goods stocks.

Indian stock markets maintained its upward trend and gained more than 500 points during the week, ended on August 08, despite weak global markets, high inflation numbers and slumping growth.

The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep the benchmark lending rates the same at 2% assisted the stock market to lift up from the lows and consolidate a bit.

The Sensex, which marked its closure at 15,167.82, gained 511.13 points during the week, whereas the 50-share index, NSE Nifty profited 115.95 points to close the week at 4,529.50.

New York - Oil futures dropped 4 per cent Fri

Taipei - Taiwan stocks ended 2.63 per cent higher on strong financial gains on Friday, despite Wall street's overnight fall, dealers said.

The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange opened flat as sentiment was dampened by Wall Street's sharp overnight fall, but started picking up by the mid-morning session and continued its upward trend to close at 7,209.04, up 184.46 points or 2.63 per cent.

Dealers said strong gains in the financial sector were one reason for the sharp rise in the local index.

Mumbai, Aug 8 : With the annual inflation crossing the 12 per cent mark for the first time in 13 years for the week ended July 26, the 30-share Sensex, benchmark of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) fell by 117 points at 14,999.92 in early trade today after heavy selling by funds.

National Stock Exchange (NSE)''s Nifty fell 31 points to 4492.95. The index touched a high of 4540.75 and low of 4480.80 so far.

Inflation has more than doubled since late February mainly on soaring oil prices, prompting the Reserve Bank India to tighten the annual monetary policy aggressively.

Indian stock markets closed on a positive note, on Thursday (August 7), touching an intraday high of 15,280.06 and an intraday low of 14,992.97 ahead of inflation numbers for the week ended July 26.

Buying and selling action was witnessed in some of the selected stocks. Consumer durables, realty, auto, IT, banking traded positively, whereas capital goods, power and oil stocks went down.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index closed positively after gaining 0.45% and 0.32% respectively.