Mumbai, Nov 17 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading up 72.08 points or 0.26 percent as automobile stocks rose.

Healthy buying was observed in consumer durables, oil and gas, and bank stocks. However, metal, capital goods and information technology (IT) sectors fell.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,018.68 points, was trading at 28,118.74 points (at 2.30 p.m.), up 72.08 points or 0.26 percent from its previous day's close at 28,046.66 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,127.58 points and a low of 27,921.34 points in the trade so far.

The S&P automobile index gained 243.64 points, consumer durables index moved up 179.38 points, oil and gas index fell 78.12 points and bank index inched higher by 51.02 points.

However, metal index lost 55.91 points, capital goods index was down 39.34 points and IT index fell by 12.46 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading in the positive territory. It was up 28 points or 0.33 percent at 8,417.90 points.