Mumbai, Dec 21 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities market closed 171 points higher Tuesday on renewed buying support in banking and realty stocks.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 19,925.76 points, ended the day at 20,060.32 points, up 0.86 percent or 171.44 points (provisional).

The Sensex touched a high of 20,090.84 points and low of 19,925.76 points in the intra-day.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty flirted with psychologically important 6,000 points mark. The Nifty settled at 5,997.05 points, up 0.84 percent or 50 points (provisional).

Most sectoral indices also closed in the positive, with the BSE Bankex rising 2.34 percent and the BSE Metal index surging nearly three percent.