Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS): Indian equities markets were ruling higher a little before noon Wednesday, with a benchmark index trading 131 points higher amid positive cues from other Asian bourses.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,631.69 points, was ruling at 17,753.84 points, 131.39 points or 0.75 percent up from its previous close at 17,622.45 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher at 5,375.4 points, up 40.25 points or 0.75 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were in the green too, with the BSE 500 index trading 0.89 percent up from its previous close. The BSE midcap index was up 1.23 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 1.37 percent.

Realty, metals and power and gas, consumer durables and banking stocks were on the rise. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included Jindal Steel, Hindalco, DLF and Maruti Suzuki while losers included Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, ONGC and ITC.

The market breadth was positive with 1,676 stocks advancing, 826 on the decline and 93 unchanged.

Tracking overnight gains at Wall Street, Asian markets rose Wednesday. Hopes of an agreement between Greece and its private lenders to cut part of its Euro 350 billion debt also enthused investors.

The Japanese Nikkei rose 1.05 percent to rule at 9,010.84 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.09 percent at 20,924.71 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 1.56 percent higher at 2,327.71 points.