Mumbai, Dec 19 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday surged 358.82 points or 1.32 percent as capital goods stocks gained.

Good buying was observed in capital goods, banking, auto, IT, metal and oil and gas sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,292.55 points, was trading at 27,485.39 points (at 1.35 p.m.) in the afternoon session, up 358.82 points or 1.32 percent from the previous day's close at 27,126.57 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,493.07 points and a low of 27,292.14 points during intra-trade so far.

The S&P capital goods index surged by 287.41 points, bankex gained by 249.86 points, auto index moved up by 233.22 points, IT index got augmented by 172.15 points, metal index rose 228.86 points and oil and gas index increased by 220.80 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 99.85 points or 1.22 percent up at 8,259.15 points.