Sensex, Nifty witness modest gains in afternoon trade

The Sensex and the Nifty today witnessed modest gains in the afternoon trade.

Both stock indices were added even as the cues from other Asian share markets were negative.

The Sensex was trading near the 59,000 mark while the Nifty was trading above the 17,500 level.

The Sensex climbed 200 points, or 0.34 per cent, to trade at 58,974.

The Nifty also gained 62 points, or 0.35 per cent, to trade at 17,552 when the reports last came in.

In the forex market, the rupee appreciated marginally by two paise to trade at 79 rupees and 85 pasie against the US dollar in the afternoon deals.