Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading higher by 37 points in the Monday afternoon session after healthy buying spree took place in healthcare, information technology (IT) and auto stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,278.00 points, was ruling at 19,279.64 points around 12.50 p.m., up by 37.64 points or 0.20 percent from its previous close at 19,242.00 points.

The BSE Sensex touched a high of 19,347.64 points and low of 19,261.66 points intra-day.

The BSE midcap index was up 25.29 points, while the smallcap index was higher by 28.08 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was down 8.10 points or 0.14 percent at 5,855.80 points.

The BSE healthcare index was up 71.81 points. The IT index was trading higher by 64.61 points and auto index up 51.50 points.

However, the oil and gas index decreased by 39.35 points, bank index down 19.80 points and capital goods lower by 12.19 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.99 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was higher by 0.16 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.27 percent.