Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS): The key indices of the Indian equity markets traded on a higher note during the mid-afternoon session on Friday lifted by positive global cues and healthy buying in auto, IT and banking stocks.

IT major Tata Consultancy Services, followed by Bharti Airtel, ONGC, State Bank of India and Infosys were the top gainers on the BSE.

Around 12.45 p.m., the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded higher by 43.55 points or 0.42 per cent at 10,483.85 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 33,768.47 points, traded at 33,929.66 points -- up 173.38 points or 0.51 per cent -- from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,954.57 points and a low of 33,767.73 points during the intra-day trade so far.

The BSE market breadth was bullish as 1,613 stocks advanced as compared to 944 declines.

On Thursday, the key indices closed a rangebound trade session in the red as weak global cues, along with heavy selling in auto stocks, kept investors' sentiments subdued.

On a closing basis, the NSE Nifty50 inched lower by 3.90 points or 0.04 per cent to 10,440.30 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 33,756.28 points -- down 21.10 points or 0.06 per cent.