Mumbai, March 17 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), on Tuesday was trading 173.68 points or 0.61 percent up as healthcare stocks surged.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 51.80 points or 0.60 percent up at 8,684.95 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,595 points, was trading at 28,611.39 points (at 12.31 p.m.) in the afternoon session, up 173.68 points or 0.61 percent from the previous day's close at 28,437.71 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 28,783.39 points and a low of 28,545.43 points in the trade so far.

Good buying was observed in healthcare, capital goods, auto, consumer durables and metal sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in IT sector.

The S&P BSE healthcare index gained by 273.32 points, capital goods index moved up by 184.97, auto index went up by 171.88 points, consumer durables index increased by 117.12 points and metal index got augmented by 108.55 points. However, IT index slipped by 29.95 points.