Mumbai, Aug 27 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed trade Wednesday 117.34 points or 0.44 percent up as auto stocks surged.

Good buying was observed in auto, banking, IT and oil and gas sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in metal and realty sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,553.24 points, closed at 26,560.15 points (provisional), up 117.34 points or 0.44 percent from the previous day's close at 26,442.81 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,599.12 points and a low of 26,492.50 points in the intra-day trade.

The S&P BSE auto index gained by 139.02 points, bankex went up by 94.27 points, IT index got augmented by 75.49 points and oil and gas index inched up by 92.23 points. However, metal index dropped by 25.89 points and realty index went down by 24.04 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed the day's trade 31.30 points or 0.40 percent up at 7,936.05 points.