Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was Tuesday ruling close to a percent higher a little before noon as buying picked up across the market breadth. IT, telcom and consumer durable scrips led the gainers.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,768.63 points, was ruling at 16,901.57 points -- up 156.22 points or 0.93 percent from its previous close at 16,745.35 points.

The Sensex had lost 188 points Monday.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the red at 5,083.5 points, up 1.02 percent.

Broader markets were also in the positive. The BSE midcap index was trading 0.52 percent higher, while the BSE smallcap index was up 0.81 percent.

The market breadth was positive with 1,483 stocks advancing, compared to 760 on the decline and 92 remaining unchanged.

Sensex gainers at this time included Tata Motors, TCS, Infosys, M&M and ICICI Bank, while the losers included ONGC, Maruti Suzuki, BHEL and Tata Power.

After the sell-off in the previous session, Asian markets were mostly holding up Tuesday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading 0.25 percent up at 18,966.12 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 0.51 percent higher at 2,450.23 points.

Opening after a holiday, the Japanese Nikkei was, however, ruling 1.73 percent lower at 8,710.65 points, adjusting to the losses seen in other Asian peers Monday.