Mumbai, Oct 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Monday surged up 404.03 points or 1.55 percent as auto stocks gained.

The rally was led by auto, banking, capital goods, metal, oil and gas, healthcare, metal and consumer durables sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,434.16 points, was trading at 26,512.56 points (at 11.59 a.m.) in the pre-noon session, up 404.03 points or 1.55 percent from the previous day's close at 26,108.53 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,517.90 points and a low of 26,399.84 points in the trade so far.

The S&P auto index surged 405.31 points, bankex gained by 399.45 points, capital goods index increased by 344.17 points, oil and gas index went up by 241.93 points, healthcare index moved up by 199.88 points, metal index got augmented by 151.41 points and consumer durables index inched up by 122.46 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also surged by 114.70 points or 1.47 percent and was trading at 7,894.40 points.