Mumbai, Aug 18 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday extended its early morning gains, with auto and public sector companies leading the pack. The index was up 93 points a little before noon even as other major Asian markets reported a mixed bag.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,067.67 points, was at 18,142.26 points, 93.41 points or 0.52 percent up from its previous close at 18,048.85 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.56 percent higher at 5,444.35 points.
Broader markets indices were also in the green, with the BSE midcap index 0.88 percent up and the BSE smallcap index trading 1.02 percent higher.
Consumer durables stocks led the losing lot.
The market breadth was positive with 1,850 scrips advancing, compared to 947 stocks declining and 105 remaining unchanged.
Asian bourses were trading on a mixed note.
The Japanese Nikkei was ruling 0.89 percent higher at 9,243.5 points while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 0.19 percent at 21,097.18 points.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was flat while the South Korean Kospi closed 0.4 percent in the green.
