Mumbai, Aug 17 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Wednesday soared in the morning session, after a hesitant start, and was ruling over 223 points higher than its previous close. The rise was led by IT and telecom scrips.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,782.24 points, was ruling 16,966.89 points, up 235.95 points or 1.41 percent compared to its previous close at 16,730.94 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading 1.42 percent higher at 5,107.1 points.

The midcap and smallcap indices on the BSE were ruling quiet, but the broader market index, BSE 500, was on the rise.

The market breadth at the BSE was tilted towards the negative, with 1,002 stocks moving up, compared to 1,298 on the decline and 99 remaining unchanged.

Among gainers on the BSE were TCS, HDFC Bank, Sun Pharma and Jaiprakash Associates while losers included DLF, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki and ICIC Bank.

IT, telecom, oil and gas and FMCG stocks were on the rise, while realty and auto scrips were trading weak.

Other major Asian markets were ruling mixed.

The benchmark Japanese Nikkei was ruling 0.45 percent lower at 9,066.68 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling flat at 2,609.25 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng was however, ruling 0.94 percent up at 20,402.95 points.