Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday surged 260.33 points or 0.97 percent as banking stocks gain.

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

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,178.77 points, was trading at 27,169.15 points (at 09.24 a.m.) in the early session, up 260.33 points or 0.97 percent from the previous day's close at 26,908.82 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 27,249.98 points and a low of 27,169.15 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bankex gained 244.15 points, auto index went up by 180.32 points, capital goods index surged by 158.25 points, healthcare index moved up by 126.34 points, consumer durables index got augmented by 117.81 points and metal index inched up by 146.50 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 80.05 points or 0.99 percent up at 8,182.15 points.