Mumbai, Sep 6 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday gained 209 points or 1.10 percent during pre-noon trade.

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

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,072.02 points, was trading at 19,188.94 points in the pre-noon session, up 209.18 points or 1.10 percent from the previous day's close at 18,979.76 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,196.37 points and a low of 18,929.38 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex gained 178.76 points, capital goods index inched up by 113.51 points and healthcare index increased by 133.11 points. However, auto index went down by 54.25 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 56.60 points or 1.01 percent up at 5,649.55 points.