Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday surged 276.53 points or 1.04 percent up as capital goods stocks gained.

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

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,573.89 points, was trading at 26,907.82 points (at 10.50 a.m.) in the early session, up 276.53 points or 1.04 percent from the previous day's close at 26,631.29 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,917.78 points and a low of 26,503.08 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE capital goods index surged by 269.22 points, healthcare index gained by 261.02 points, bankex went up by 221.86 points, auto stocks increased by 243.29 points. Consumer durables index got augmented by 193.99 points, metal stocks inched up by 158.25 points and oil and gas index scored 173.59 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also surged 87 points or 1.09 percent and was trading at 8,062.50 points.