Mumbai, Jun 28 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 0.22 percent higher in the afternoon session Thursday led by robust buying in power, FMCG and capital goods stocks and firm Asian cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,985.58 points, was trading at 17,005.30 points around 12.30 p.m., up 0.22 percent or 37.54 points from its previous close at 16,967.76 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.17 percent higher at 5,150.55 points.

The BSE power index was up 15.21 points, the FMCG index was up 25.58 points and the capital goods index was up 50.44 points.

Major Sensex gainers were Tata Power, up 1.43 percent at Rs.99.05; NTPC, up 1.39 percent at Rs.157.10; ITC, up 1.09 percent at Rs.250.50; Infosys, up 0.87 percent at Rs.2,490 and BHEL, up 0.75 percent at Rs.222.10.

Major Sensex losers were Tata Motors, down 1.28 percent at Rs.236; Gail India, down 1.24 percent at Rs.350; SBI, down 1.01 percent at Rs.2,092; TCS, down 0.30 at Rs.1,243; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.25 percent at Rs.451.55.

In the Asian region, the Japan's Nikkei was up 1.65 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.04 percent.