Mumbai, May 27 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities extended its gains Thursday on positive cues from other major Asian bourses.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,410.88 points, was ruling at 16,546.28 points, 158.44 points or 0.97 percent up from its previous close at 16,387.84 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 4,965.65 points, up 0.98 percent from its previous close.

Broader market indices were in the positive terrain as well, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.42 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.43 percent higher.

Most of the stocks on the Sensex were in the green, with M&M and ONGC leading the pack.

Asian markets saw continued buying sentiments with major indices ruling in the green.

The markets went up despite reports that China was reviewing its euro-zone bond holdings, sending feelers that the fastest growing economy in the world was not impressed by the huge financial aid proposed to ward off a financial crisis.

The Japanese Nikkei ended 1.23 percent up at 9,639.72 points, while the Shanghai Composite index was ruling 1.15 percent up at 2,655.92 points.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 1.48 percent at 19,480.76, while the South Korean Kospi was trading with a 1.6 percent gain at 1,607.5 points.

Buoyed by a global bounce-back, the Sensex had rallied 365 points Wednesday, its biggest single-session rise in two weeks.