Mumbai, Jun 3 (IANS): Positive global cues pushed the Indian equity markets higher on Friday.

Consequently, the key indices traded in the positive territory during the early morning trade session. Healthy buying was witnessed in banking, automobile and metal stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up by 32.95 points or 0.40 per cent, at 8,251.90 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 26,919.23 points, traded at 26,977.34 points (at 9.30 a.m.) -- up 134.20 points or 0.50 per cent from the previous close at 26,843.14 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 26,983.62 points and a low of 26,915.02 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 947 advances and 338 declines.

The key Indian indices had closed at a fresh seven-month closing high on Thursday. Both the key indices had ended with appreciable gains followed by short covering and lower-level value buying.

The barometer index had surged by 129.21 points or 0.48 percent, while the NSE Nifty had gained 39 points or 0.48 percent.