Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 5.82 points higher around 11.30 am trade Monday, as metals, health care and consumer durables stocks went up.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,780.93 points, was ruling at 17,755.47 points, 5.82 points or 0.03 percent up from its previous day's close at 17,749.65 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 17,810.90 points and a low of 17,731.75 points in intra-day trade. However, the BSE midcap index was up 23.27 points, while the BSE smallcap index was higher by 36.83 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 3.35 points or 0.06 percent up at 5,362.05 points.

On the sectoral front, the BSE metal index was up 92.88 points followed by health care index which was up by 58.19 points and the consumer durables index was up 24.84 points.

Top Sensex gainers were Bharti Airtel, up 4.65 points at Rs.259.20, Sun Pharma, up 11.85 points at Rs.678.00, Tata Steel, up 6.35 points at Rs.380.15, Hindalco Inds, up 1.75 points at Rs.108.60 and Coal India, up 5.85 points at Rs.366.20.

The main Sensex losers included BHEL, down 3.50 points at Rs.199.00; Jindal Steel, down 5.10 points at Rs.347.10; State Bank of India (SBI), down 21.90 points at Rs.1,873.55; Hindustan Unilever, down 6.00 points at Rs.534.00 and ICICI Bank, down 7.15 points at Rs.933.80.

Asian stock markets rallied during the day. Japan's Nikkei was down 2.28 percent or 0.03 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 15.66 points or 0.08 percent. However, Shanghai's composite index was trading or 2.23 points or 0.10 percent higher.