Mumbai, Aug 14 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was up Tuesday, trading 102 points higher in late afternoon trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,631.64 points, was ruling at 17,735.47 points, 0.58 percent or 102.02 points up from its previous day's close at 17,633.45 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 17,753.43 points and a low of 17,572.34 points in intra-day trade.

The BSE oil and gas index was up 113.77 points, and the banking index, up 136.60 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was ruling 0.65 percent up at 5,382.90 points.

The major Sensex gainers were Tata Steel, up 2.45 percent at Rs.405.35; Tata Motors, up 2.45 percent at Rs.234; ICICI Bank, up 2.08 percent at Rs.969.35; Coal India, up 1.84 percent at Rs.353.95; and ONGC, up 1.78 percent at Rs.285.80.

The main Sensex losers were Sun Pharma down 2.22 percent at Rs.666.90; Bajaj Auto, down 1.64 percent at Rs.1,680; HDFC, down 1.45 percent at Rs.705; Sterlite Inds, down 1.45 percent at Rs.112.30; and Maruti Suzuki, down 0.27 percent at Rs.1,182.95.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up 0.50 percent while Shanghai's composite index was 0.30 percent higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 1.05 percent.