Mumbai, Jul 10 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed 236 points higher Tuesday with robust buying in FMCG, capital goods and banking stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,431.68 points closed at 17,628.95 (provisional), up 1.36 percent or 236.97 points from its previous close at 17,391.98 points.

The BSE mid-cap was up 69.04 points and small cap was higher by 53.26 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading 1.34 percent higher at 5,346 points.

The BSE FMCG index was up 96.26 points, while the capital goods index and the banking index were 182.44 points and 185.47 points up respectively.

Major Sensex gainers were ITC, up 2.84 percent at Rs.258.50; Hindalco Inds, up 2.70 percent at Rs.127.55; Maruti Suzuki, up 2.52 percent at Rs.1,219; Tata Motors, up 2.41 points at Rs.246 and Jindal Steel, up 2.39 percent at Rs.454.10.

The only two Sensex losers were Wipro, down 0.39 percent at Rs.384.40 and Sun Pharma, down 0.20 percent at Rs.624.