Mumbai, May 4 (Inditop) A key index of the Indian equities markets crossed the 12,000-mark about 90 minutes before closing bell Monday with investors lapping up stocks with renewed enthusiasm.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 11,635.24 points, rose 656.93 points or 5.76 percent from its previous close to rule at 12,060.18 points.

Similarly, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained 166 points from the previous close to trade at 3,640.25 points.

The BSE midcap index gained 3.52 percent, while the BSE smallcap index was also up 3.47 percent.