Mumbai, Aug 1 (IANS) After a dismal show last week, a benchmark index for Indian equities Monday started on a positive note.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,352.23 points, was ruling at 18,415.94 points — up 218.74 points or 1.2 percent from its previous close at 18,197.2 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,546.2 points, up 1.17 percent.

Broader markets too rose. The BSE midcap index was ruling 0.84 percent up and the BSE smallcap index was trading up 0.38 percent up.