Indian stock markets closed the week on a positive note on Friday (August 22) after making a gain of 157.76 points at 14,401.49 after touching an intra-day high of 14,428.52 and an intra-day low of 14,136.86.

In contrast, the broad-based NSE Nifty marked its closure at 4,327.45, up 43.60 points, after touching an intra-day high of 4,337.00 and an intra-day low of 4,248.00.

Indian stock markets closed the week on a pleasant note on account of good buying activity witnessed in metal, banking and FMCG stocks.

The 30-share index, BSE Sensex opened lower at 14,153.39, down 90.34 points, on Friday (August 22) mirroring worldwide signals and also due to rise in crude oil prices. In the noon trades, the BSE traded higher because of strong European markets.  

All sectoral indices marked their closures on a positive note led by BSE Metal, which gained 1.62%, BSE Bankex surged 1.18%, FMCG zoomed 1.09% and Oil & Gas climbed 1.05%.         

Washington - US stocks advanced Friday as oil prices dropped and there was increasing speculation that investment bank Lehman Brothers might attract a major international buyer.

The shares of Lehman jumped 13 per cent after the Korea Investment Bank said it was considering an acquisition.

United Airlines parent company, UAL Corp, witnessed a 12 per cent increase in shares, as crude oil plunged 5.4 per cent - its lowest in four years, Bloomberg financial news agency reported. Crude tumbled 6.59 dollars a barrel, to 114.59 dollars, in New York.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks extended their losses Friday on the back of oil price rises and a stronger yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 85.5 points in morning trading, or 0.67 per cent, to trade at 12,666.71.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 8.14 points, or 0.66 per cent, at 1,216.39.

Exporters were hurt by a weaker US dollar against the yen as a stronger yen makes Japanese products more expensive overseas.

Washington  - US stocks rose slightly Thursday on the back of energy company gains, as financial shares continued their steady fall on the week.

Chevron Corp and Exxon Mobil Corp led the rise after crude oil prices for October delivery surged 4.9 per cent to 121.23 dollars per barrel in New York trading.

Washington  - US stocks rose slightly Thursday on the back of energy company gains, as financial shares continued their steady fall on the week.

Chevron Corp and Exxon Mobil Corp led the rise after crude oil prices for October delivery surged 4.9 per cent to 121.23 dollars per barrel in New York trading.