Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS): After three consecutive days of decline, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday surged over 280 points or more than 1.00 percent in the mid-afternoon trade session.

All sector-based indices of the of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) were trading in green.

The rally was led by banking, auto, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare and capital goods stocks.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P BSE, which opened at 27,178.77 points, was trading at 27,190.55 points (at 1.30 p.m.), up 281.73 points or 1.05 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 27,101.94 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bankex gained 298.79 points, auto index went up by 237.31 points, FMCG index surged by 146.31 points, healthcare index moved up by 140.46 points and capital goods index got augmented by 130.50 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading in green. It was up 100.75 points or 1.24 percent up at 8,202.85 points.