Mumbai, Dec 26 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading higher by 177.89 points in Wednesday's late afternoon session after healthy buying spree in capital goods, bank and metals stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,302.47 points, was ruling at 19,432.98 points around 1.00 p.m., up by 177.89 points or 0.92 percent from its previous close at 19,255.09 points.

The BSE Sensex touched a high of 19,468.40 points and a low of 19,274.07 points intra-day. The BSE midcap index was up 50.81 points, while the smallcap index was higher by 40.37 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was up 50.40 points or 0.81 percent at 5,906.15 points.

The BSE bank index was trading higher by 193.72 points. The capital goods index was up 176.64 points and the metal index up 129.42 points.

However, the information technology index decreased by 10.46 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up 1.49 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was higher by 0.16 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.25 percent.