Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS)

 A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 161.55 points or 0.78 percent in the pre-noon trade Friday.

Good buying was observed in IT, oil and gas and technology, media and entertainment (TECK) sectors while selling pressure was seen in auto sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,760.72 points, was trading at 20,874.92 points in the pre-noon session, up 161.55 points or 0.78 percent from the previous day's close at 20,713.37 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,902.21 points and a low of 20,625.17 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE IT index gained 200.69 points, oil and gas index increased by 114.01 points and TECK index got augmented by 96.67 points. 

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained 47.45 points or 0.77 percent and was trading at 6,215.80 points.

By:IANS