Mumbai, Feb 16 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), Monday was trading 103.58 points or 0.36 percent up as auto stocks surged.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 21.30 points or 0.24 percent up at 8,826.80 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 29,170.77 points, was trading at 29,198.51 points (at 1.04 p.m.) in the afternoon session, up 103.58 points or 0.36 percent from the previous day's close at 29,094.93 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,325.35 points and a low of 29,150.67 points in the trade so far.

Good buying was observed in auto and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, while selling pressure was seen in consumer durables and healthcare sectors.

The S&P auto index surged by 148.04 points and FMCG index moved up by 104.34 points. However, consumer durables index slipped by 104.40 points and healthcare index dropped by 70.80 points.