Mumbai, Sep 7 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities opened on a positive note Tuesday and is ruling 61 points higher than its previous close in afternoon trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,571.73 points, is at 18,623.53 points, 63.48 points or 0.34 percent up from its previous close at 18,560.05 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty is ruling 0.3 percent higher at 5,593.55 points.

Broader market indices are also in the green, with the BSE midcap 0.27 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.88 percent higher.

Capital goods, metals scrips are seeing healthy buys. Realty and banking stocks are under selling pressure.

The market breadth is positive with 1,755 scrips advancing, compared to 1,134 stocks declining and 87 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets ended trade on a mixed note, with trders taking a breather after Monday’s rally.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.81 percent lower at 9,226 points.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended a modest 0.15 percent up at 21,388.19 points. The Chinese Shanghai Composite index closed on a flat note at 2,698.36 points.

European bourses started in the red after a report in the Wall Street Journal said some Euro zone banks had exposure to high risk government debt.