Benchmark equity indices ended higher today, led by gains in heavyweight stocks. However, the indices logged their worst week in two months as they lost nearly two percent this week.

Recovering from the sharp decline in the previous trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 260 points or 0.36 percent, settling at 72,664. Meanwhile, the broader NSE Nifty saw an increase of 98 points or 0.44 percent, closing at 22,055.

From the Sensex basket, NTPC, Power Grid, JSW steel, Asian Paints and ITC were among the major gainers.

In contrast, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the biggest laggards.

In the broader market at the BSE, the Midcap sector and the Smallcap index rose 0.80 percent each.

In sectoral indices at the BSE, Power index rose 1.50 percent. The Oil and Gas sector jumped 1.40 percent, and Commodities index rose 1.30 percent. On the other hand, Information and Technology index declined 0.90 percent, Realty index cracked 0.60 percent and Teck Index fell 0.26 percent.