Mumbai, Aug 21 (IANS): After three consecutive days of losses, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets was Wednesday trading up 130.98 points or 0.72 percent during pre-noon trade.

This positive change was made possible after Reserve Bank of India Tuesday eased cash and bond holding rules for banks.

Good buying was observed in banking index (bankex), capital goods and auto sectors; while selling pressure was seen in IT sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,545.44 points, was trading at 18,377.02 points in the pre-noon session, up 130.98 points or 0.72 percent from the previous day's close at 18,246.04 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,567.70 points and a low of 18,323.32 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex surged 456.74 points, capital goods index increased by 146.27 points and auto index increased by 120.37 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 50.80 points or 0.94 percent up at 5,452.25 points.