Mumbai Sep 20 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday built on its morning gains and was at striking distance from the 20,000-mark, about 50 minutes before closing bell.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,445.2 points, was at 19,839.06 points, 244.31 points or 1.25 percent up from its previous close at 19,594.75 points.
The Sensex rose to an intra-day high of 19,864.13 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was up 1.18 percent at 5,954.4 points.
Broader market indices were also in the green. The BSE midcap was 0.6 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.82 percent higher.
The market breadth was positive with 1,786 scrips advancing, compared to 1,192 stocks declining and 101 remaining unchanged.
FMCG, consumer goods, realty and energy stocks were among the major gainers.
