By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Thursday shot up after a tepid start and was ruling more than 300 points higher before noon as traders bought stocks which had been battered over the past few days.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,113.73 points, was ruling at 18,398.32 points, up 307 points or 1.7 percent from its previous close at 18,090.62 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too shot up, trading 1.39 percent higher at 5,507.25 points.
Broader markets were ruling in the green too with the BSE midcap index up 0.74 percent and the BSE smallcap index up a similar quantum.
All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green with realty, metals, telecom and banking scrips gaining the most.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,497 stocks advancing compared to 901 scrips on the decline, while 93 stocks remained unchanged.
All the 30 scrips on the Sensex were among gains. Major gainers were DLF, Hindalco Industries, Bharti Airtel and Hero Honda.
Most other Asian markets like Hong Kong and China were closed on account of the annual Lunar New Year holidays.
The Japanese Nikkei edged lower to rule 0.37 percent down at 10,419.05 points.