Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Monday gained 226.97 points or 1.15 percent in the pre-noon trade.

Good buying was observed in the banking (bankex) auto, capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, while selling pressure was seen in the healthcare and IT sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,977.38 points, was trading at 19,959.73 points in the pre-noon session, up 226.97 points or 1.15 percent from last Friday's close at 19,732.76 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,086.43 points and a low of 19,920.77 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex gained 348.08 points, auto index increased by 182.05 points, capital goods index moved up by 101.87 points and FMCG index inched up by 98.56 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 57.05 points or 0.98 percent up at 5,907.65 points.