Mumbai, Aug 25 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets hit a record high of 26,561.65 points Monday, surpassing its previous high of 26,530.67 points recorded Aug 19.

All the sectors were trading in green and healthy buying was observed in banking, information technology (IT), healthcare, automobile and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,490.31 points, was trading at 26,607.63 points (at 1.00 p.m.), up 188.08 points or 0.71 percent from the previous day's close at 26,419.55 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,630.63 points and a low of 26,490.31 points in the intra-trade so far till about 1.00 p.m.

The S&P BSE bankex gained 133.52 points, IT index was up 102.68 points, healthcare index got augmented by 93.74 point, auto index inched up by 83.53 points and oil and gas index rose 73.23 points.

However, metal index was down 101.45 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too touched a record high and was trading at 50.45 points or 0.64 percent up at 7,963.65 points, surpassing its previous record high of 7,929.05 points touched on Aug 22.