Markets up on FM's statement

But operators preferred to play safe, awaiting a clear picture of the monsoon distribution.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram's statement in the Rajya Sabha that he is willing "to revisit the (transaction tax) numbers" perked up market sentiment. But operators preferred to play safe, awaiting a clear picture of the monsoon distribution.

Closing higher for the third straight session, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex hit an intra-day high of 5009.63 before closing at 4975.40, 0.49 per cent (24.23 points) higher than Friday's close.

Blue chips had a mixed day with 19 scrips out of the 30-scrip Sensex basket closing higher, while gainers outpaced losers 1295:508 on the BSE.

Traded volumes in the cash markets were lower than on Friday but back to average levels of the recent past.  The BSE reported a Rs 1656.04 crore turnover and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Rs 4037.92 crore. Foreign institutional investors (FII) were net buyers of Indian shares worth Rs 132.50 crore on Friday.

Domestic mutual funds were net buyers  to the tune of Rs 58.30 crore, latest data released by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said. Brokers said institutions were buyers onFriday, expecting the finance minister to make his statement in Parliament today.