Mumbai, Oct 1 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities Friday soared in noon trade and was ruling 262 points higher. The buying spree spread to broader markets as well.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 20,094.1 points, and around noon was ruling at 20,331.36 points, up 262.24 points or 1.31 percent from its previous close at 20,069.12 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 6,108.8 points, up 1.3 percent.

Broader markets were also in the green. The BSE midcap was trading 1.53 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index was 1.57 percent up.

The market breadth was negative with 2,095 scrips advancing, compared to 760 stocks declining and 86 remaining unchanged.

Realty, auto, metal and consumer durable stocks saw bulk of the buying. All 13 sectoral on the BSE were in the green.

Top Sensex gainers at this time were Tata Motors, BHEL, Maruti Suzuki, and M&M.

Hero Honda and HDFC Bank were on the losing side.

Major markets in Asia were closed on account of holidays.

The Japan’s Nikkei moved up 0.37 percent to close at 9,404.23 points.