Mumbai, Apr 25 (IANS): A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets was trading nearly one percent up in the afternoon trade Thursday after interest sensitive stocks like automobile, banks stocks rallied.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the red at 19,192.11 points, was trading at 19,358.93 points in the late-afternoon session, down 0.94 percent or 179.57 points from its previous day's close at 19,179.36 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,389.50 points and a low of 19,192.11 points in intra-day trade.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 1.02 percent or 59.65 points down at 5,896.55 points.

There was healthy buying in interest-sensitive stocks like automobile, oil and gas, bank, metal, health care and capital goods.

The BSE automobile index was trading higher by 200.12 points and the oil and gas index was up 181.28 points. The bank index was trading 169 percent higher, metal index gained 117.57 points, healthcare index was up 89.82 points, and capital goods index was higher by 88.65 points.

However, the informational technology (IT) index was down 64.87 points, consumer durables index was trading lower by 58.77 points and the technology, media and entertainment (TECk) index was 17.05 points down.