Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 157.88 points or 0.83 percent up during the pre-noon trade Tuesday.

Good buying was observed in auto, banking index (bankex), IT and healthcare sectors; while selling pressure was seen in metal and consumer durables sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,895.26 points, was trading at 19,104.86 points in the pre-noon session, up 157.88 points or 0.83 percent from the previous day's close at 18,946.98 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,156.41 points and a low of 18,864.81 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE auto index surged 188.14 points, the bankex increased by 155.44 points, the IT index moved up by 116.63 points and the healthcare index went up by 124.32 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 52.55 points or 0.94 percent up at 5,664.95 points.