Mumbai, Dec 18 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday surged 294.47 points or 1.10 percent as banking stocks gained.

All the sectors were trading in green and the rally was led by banking, capital goods, consumer durables, auto, metal, healthcare and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,053.86 points, was trading at 27,004.60 points (at 09.36 a.m.) in the early session, up 294.47 points or 1.10 percent from the previous day's close at 26,710.13 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 27,105.80 points and a low of 26,981.65 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bankex gained 363.44 points, capital goods index surged by 339.16 points, consumer durables index moved up by 252.36 points, auto index increased by 232.58 points, metal index moved up by 187.24 points, healthcare index got augmented by 177.26 points and oil and gas index inched up by 129.18 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading at 88.85 points or 1.11 percent up at 8,118.65 points.