Mumbai, July 27 - Late buying of heavyweight stocks helped a key index of the Indian equities markets recoup most of its losses Monday, though it still ended trade 3.92 points lower than its previous close.

The 30-scrip benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened at 15,350.89 points, lost 3.92 points or 0.03 percent to close at 15,375.04 points.

The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), however, closed 0.08 percent higher at 4,572.3 points.

Broader market indices did better and ended in the positive terrain, with the BSE midcap index closing 1.63 percent up and the BSE smallcap index ending 1.53 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive with 1,682 stocks advancing compared to 952 declining and 93 remaining unchanged.

Among the gainers on the Sensex were Hindustan Unilever, up 5.9 percent at Rs.298.75; Tata Power, up 5.48 percent at Rs.1,237.10; DLF, up 4.69 percent at Rs.412.10; and Tata Steel, up 3.97 percent at Rs.457.35.

Among the losers on the Sensex Monday were Reliance Industries, down 3.73 percent at Rs.