Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets continued to hold on to early gains Wednesday with auto, realty and IT stocks leading the gainers' list.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE was ruling 17,134.89 points, up 276.98 points or 1.64 percent compared to its previous close at 16,857.91 points.

It had moved up to 17,256.46 points in early trade.

The markets have been battered in the past two trading sessions over the US sovereign debt rating downgrade and fears of a double dip recession in the largest economy of the world.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,163.45 points, up 1.79 percent.

Broader markets too rose. The BSE midcap index was ruling 2.13 percent up and the BSE smallcap index was trading 2.56 percent higher.

The market breadth at the BSE was positive with 2,126 stocks moving up, compared to 501 on the decline and 69 remaining unchanged.

Among gainers on the BSE were Tata Motors, M&M, Hindalco and DLF, while losers included ONGC, Hindustan Unilever, Bharti Airtel and Tata Power.

Other major Asian markets too were on the rise, after being battered in the last two sessions over the US sovereign debt downgrade.

The benchmark Japanese Nikkei closed 1.05 percent higher at 9,038.74 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index ended 1.28 percent higher.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng had risen 2.21 percent to rule at 19,758.59 points.