Mumbai, Jul 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading up more than half a percent around 1.30 p.m. Tuesday.

The markets were buoyed by measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to curb gold imports to reduce the current account deficit.

Good buying was observed in bank, consumer durables, oil and gas, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and metal stocks. While there was selling pressure in the automobile sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,249.98 points, was trading at 20,289.14 points around 1.30 p.m, up 130.02 points or 0.64 percent from Monday's close of 20,159.12 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,351.06 points and a low of 20,249.98 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bank index surged by 170.99 points, followed by consumer durables index which grew by 170.99 points, oil and gas index was up 95.94 points, FMCG index was higher by 90 points and metal index was up 73.46 points.

However, the automobile index was down by 7.84 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 34.80 points or 0.58 percent up at 6,066.60 points.