Mumbai, Sep 6 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities soared in early trade Monday and was ruling 130 points higher within minutes of opening bell.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,124.29 points, was at 18,352.68 points, 131.25 points or 0.72 percent up from its previous close at 18,221.43 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.72 percent higher at 5,519.1 points.

Broader markets indices were also in the green, with the BSE midcap 0.87 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 1.04 percent higher.

Metals, IT, realty telecom scrips saw healthy buys. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the positive.