Mumbai, Oct 30 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday was trading 171.02 points or 0.63 percent up as IT stocks gained.

Good buying was observed in IT, consumer durables and technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and capital goods sectors, while selling pressure was seen in auto sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,098.94 points, was trading at 27,269.19 points (at 12.02 p.m.), up 171.02 points or 0.63 percent from the previous day's close at 27,098.17 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,277.09 points and a low of 27,088.65 points in the trade so far.

The S&P IT index gained 226.71 points, consumer durables index moved up by 128.74 points, TECK index went up by 99.09 points and capital goods index inched up by 85.61 points.

However, auto index dropped by 7.28 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 55.95 points or 0.69 percent up at 8,146.40 points.