Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets shot up in morning trade Wednesday to cross the 18,000-mark, a level unseen since six months. Strong cues from Asia helped buying sentiments.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 18,000.3 points, and was ruling at 18,129.21 points, 280.64 points or 1.57 percent up from its previous close at 17,848.57 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading higher at 5,499.4 points, up 83.35 points or 1.54 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were also in the green, with the BSE 500 index trading 1.6 percent up. The BSE midcap index was up 1.71 percent while the BSE smallcap index gained 1.31 percent.

All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the positive. Auto, capital goods, realty, and consumer durable stocks were on the rise.

Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included L&T, Tata Motors, ICICI Bank, Infosys and HDFC.

The market breadth was positive with 1,426 stocks advancing, 1,303 on the decline and 109 unchanged.

Hopes of Greece securing a euro-zone approved bailout package helped Asian markets rise Wednesday.

The Japanese Nikkei rose 2.51 percent to rule at 9,288.07 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 1.97 percent higher at 21,330.65 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index, also moved up 1.17 percent to trade at 2,372.2 points.