Mumbai, Nov 28 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities built on its early gains and was ruling more than two percent higher around Monday noon. Buying was seen across the board with metals, realty and banking scrips among the top gainers.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,890.8 points, was ruling at 16,019.91 points about 20 minutes into trade -- 324.48 points or 2.07 percent up from its previous close at 15,695.43 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher at 4,805.6 points, up 2.03 percent or 95.55 points from its previous close.

Broader markets were also ruling in the green with the BSE 500 index up 1.86 percent. The BSE midcap index was trading 1.36 percent higher, while the BSE smallcap index was up 1.51 percent.

All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green with metals, realty and banking stocks were among the gainers.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,730 stocks advancing and 611 on the decline. Another 72 were unchanged.

On the 30-scrip Sensex there was only one loser -- Bajaj Auto. Major gainers included Hindalco, Tata Motors, ICICI Bank and SBI.

Asian markets rose Monday on reports that the International Monetary Fund was considering a plan to help out debt-ridden euro zone economies.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.56 percent higher at 8,287.49 points. Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed 2.12 percent up at 18,064.99 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index was trading flat at 2,381.85 points.