Markets pare losses to end marginally higher ahead of exit polls

After trading in a range all through the Thursday's session, the benchmark indices eventually settled marginally higher ahead of the exit poll results of state elections due later in the day. 

The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 28,929, up 27 points, while the broader Nifty50 closed at 8,927, up 3 points. 

In the broader market, the BSE Smallcap index pared intraday gains to settle flat, while  BSE Midcap was down 0.2%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, turned negative. On the BSE, 1,622 shares fell and 1,179 shares rose. A total of 168 shares were unchanged.