Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Wednesday surged 131.16 points or 0.50 percent up as metal stocks gained.

All the sectors were trading in green and good buying was observed in metal, healthcare, consumer durables and capital goods sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,627.21 points, was trading at 26,623.67 points (at 09.21 a.m.) in the early session, up 131.16 points or 0.50 percent from the previous day's close at 26,492.51 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,655.65 points and a low of 26,595.79 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE metal index gained 152.35 points, healthcare index got augmented by 146.59 points, consumer durables index moved up by 121.81 points and capital goods index scored by 94.23 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also surged 42.30 points or 0.53 percent and was trading at 7,975.20 points.