Mumbai, Dec 24 (Inditop.com) A key Indian equities index started trade on a firm note Thursday and was ruling about 84 points higher within five minutes of trade.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,265.47 points and was ruling at 17,315.3 points,up 84.19 points or 0.49 percent from its previous close at 17,231.11 points, within five minutes of trade.

Around the same time, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5.162.9 points, against the previous close at 5,144.6 points, a gain of 0.36 percent.

Broader market indices were also in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 0.77 percent and the BSE small cap index ruling 0.73 percent higher.