A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 137.78 points or 0.67 percent in the pre-noon session Thursday.

 

 Good buying was observed in capital goods, oil and gas, and auto sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in IT sector.

 

 The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,522.36 points, was trading at 20,558.04 points in the pre-noon session, up 137.78 points or 0.67 percent from the previous day's close at 20,420.26 points.

 

 The Sensex touched a high of 20,606.38 points and a low of 20,517.97 points during the trade so far.

 

 The S&P BSE capital goods index gained 152.55 points, oil and gas index augmented by 127.30 points and auto index moved up by 129.83 points. However, IT index slipped by 11.27 points.

 

 The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 40.65 points or 0.67 percent and was trading at 6,097.75 points.