Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) Indian equities markets Tuesday built on early trade gains, with a benchmark index ruling 216 points higher around noon. Gainers were led by banking and realty stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,965.58 points, was ruling at 17,079.41 points, 216.11 points or 1.28 percent up from its previous close at 16,863.3 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,149.4 points, up 62.1 points or 1.22 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were ruling higher as well, with the BSE 500 index trading 1.13 percent up from its previous close. The BSE midcap index was up 0.84 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 0.67 percent.

Banking, realty and IT stocks were on the rise, while capital goods saw some selling.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included Bajaj Auto, ICICI Bank, SBI and DLF. Among the losers were Maruti Suzuki, L&T, Tata Steel and Coal India.

The market breadth was positive with 1,422 stocks advancing, 1,046 on the decline and 114 unchanged.

Asian markets were ruling subdued as traders cautiously eyed outcome of Greece's talks with creditors on bringing down its debt burden.

The Japanese Nikkei nudged up 0.11 percent and closed at 8,802.51 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.79 percent to trade at 20,319.15 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling flat at 2,285.77 points.