Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday pared some opening gains but was trading higher amid positive cues from other Asian markets.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,118.74 points, was ruling at 17,198.89 points, 133.94 points or 0.78 percent up from its previous close at 17,064.95 points.

Earlier, it touched a high of 17,260.23 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,151.6 points, up 0.63 percent from its previous close at 5,119.35 points.

Broader markets indices were also in the positive, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.42 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index 0.98 percent up.

IT, telecom, energy and metal stocks were in the positive, while realty and healthcare scrips saw some selling.

Asian markets were having a good run buoyed by positive US consumer data.

The Japanese Nikkei ended at 9,879.85 points, up 1.8 percent, while the South Korean Kospi closed at 1,690.6 points, 0.91 percent higher.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was trading 0.93 percent higher at 20,056.25 points. The Chinese Shanghai composite index were closed Monday.