Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 208.92 points or 0.73 percent up Friday as healthcare stocks gained.

Good buying was observed in healthcare, banking, consumer durables, auto, consumer durables and IT sectors, while selling pressure was seen in oil and gas sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,888.99 points, was trading at 29,014.02 points (at 01.21 p.m.) in the afternoon session, up 208.92 points or 0.73 percent from the previous day's close at 28,805.10 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 29,073.70 points and a low of 28,835.70 points in the trade so far.

The S&P healthcare index gained by 267.62 points, bankex scored by 242.05 points, auto index increased by 192.45 points, consumer durables index got augmented by 90.30 points and IT index moved up by 72.47 points.

However, oil and gas index fell by 40.91 points. The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was trading 77.15 points or 0.89 percent up at 8,788.70 points.