Mumbai, Oct 18 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets surged 312.04 points or 1.53 percent in Friday's pre-noon trade.
All stocks were trading in the green and the rally was led by the banking index (bankex), metals, oil and gas and auto sectors.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,486.78 points, was trading at 20,727.55 points in the pre-noon session, up 312.04 points or 1.53 percent from previous day's close at 20,415.51 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 20,765.13 points and a low of 20,486.78 points during trade so far.
The bankex surged by 298.13 points, the metals index gained 190.33 points, the oil and gas index augmented by 122.78 points and the auto index moved up by 136.20 points.
The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 99.15 points or 1.64 percent up at 6,145 points.