Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Monday surged 118.07 points or 0.42 percent as consumer durables stocks gained.

Good buying was seen in consumer durables, capital goods, banking and IT sectors, and selling pressure was seen in the oil and gas sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,249.84 points, was trading at 28,239.96 points (at 09.23 a.m.) in the early session, up 118.07 points or 0.42 percent from the previous day's close at 28,121.89 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,296.06 points and a low of 28,228.19 points in the trade so far.

The S&P consumer durables index gained by 154.97 points, capital goods index surged by 153.41 goods, bankex increased by 131.02 points and IT index got augmented by 107.30 points. However, oil and gas index went down by 34.27 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 28.55 points or 0.34 percent up at 8,542.35 points.