Mumbai, May 15 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading high from its previous close around noon Tuesday on account of buying activity picking up in capital goods, metal and IT stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was ruling at 16,330.33 points, up by 0.71 percent or 114.49 points from its previous close of 16,215.84 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 16,345.85 points and a low of 16,123.04 points in the intra-day trade. The sensex midcap was up 12.3 points and smallcap was down by 5.35 points.

The BSE capital goods index was up 2.76 percent or 244.22 points followed by metal index up 0.91 percent or 91.33 points and IT index up 0.82 percent or 45.08 points.

Major Sensex gainers included Larsen and Toubro, up 4.68 percent at Rs.1,214.10; Hero MotoCorp, up 2.20 percent at Rs.1,884.50; Cipla up 2.19 percent at Rs.327; ICICI Bank, up 1.98 percent at Rs.814.90; Jindal Steel, up 1.84 percent at Rs.464.20.

Major Sensex losers included NTPC, down 1.96 percent at Rs.144.95; Maruti Suzuki, down 1.77 percent at Rs.1,224.80; Coal India, down 0.84 at Rs.312.85; ONGC, down 0.56 percent at Rs.249.95; Tata Motors, down 0.45 percent at Rs.288.90.