Mumbai, Aug 18 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Monday surged 244.11 points or 0.94 percent and hit record high of 26,396.89 points.

Good buying was observed in capital goods, banking, oil and gas, consumer durables, auto, metal and healthcare sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in IT sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,123.69 points, was trading at 26,347.34 points (at 02.49 p.m.) in the afternoon, up 244.11 points or 0.94 percent from the previous day's close at 26,103.23 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,396.89 points and a low of 26,075.28 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex surged by 355.63 points, capital goods index gained by 330.27 points, oil and gas index got augmented by 230.41; consumer durables index moved up by 128.44 points, metal index went up by 173.53; auto index increased by 199.74 points and healthcare index inched up by 136.35 points.

However, IT index went down by 35.90 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 79.15 points or 1.02 percent up at 7,870.85 points. The Nifty surpassed its previous record high of 7,840.95 hit on July 25.

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