Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was hovering near 16,600 points with gain of nearly one percent Thursday afternoon on the back of good buying support in metal, auto and banking stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Excahange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 16,573.87 points, was ruling at 16,595.93 points at around 1.30 pm, up 0.88 percent or 144.46 points from its previous close at 16,451.47 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 16,662.06 points and low of 16,572.10 in the intra-day trade.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 0.88 percent or 43.70 points higher at 4,999.50 points.
There was good buying support in realty, metal and banking stocks. The BSE realty index was up 2.90 percent and the metal index was ruling nearly two percent higher.