Mumbai, Nov 16 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Friday was up 87 points in afternoon trade following healthy buying in information technology (IT) and metals stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,491.49 points, was ruling at 18,558.71 points around 1.40 p.m., up 87.34 points or 0.47 percent from its previous close at 18,471.37 points.

The benchmark index touched a high of 18,558.71 points and low of 18,468.27 points intra-day. The BSE midcap index was up 29.20 points and the smallcap index was higher by 13.61 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange slumped 0.32 percent or 17.95 points at 5,648.95 points.

There was healthy buying in IT, media and telecom (Teck), metal and consumer goods stocks.

The IT index gained 94.08 points at 5,645.08 points, while the metal index was up 78.34 points, followed by Teck index, up 57.22 points and consumer goods index, up 54.13 points.

Among the other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei rose 2.20 percent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.24 percent. However, China's Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.77 percent.