Mumbai, Mar 14 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian markets slipped Wednesday after breaching the 18,000 point mark but continued to stay in the green ahead of the railway budget.

Other important events that traders are eyeing is the Reserve Bank of India's review of the monetary policy Thursday and the federal budget a day later.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 18,003.15 points and was ruling at 17,863.6 points at 11.46 a.m., up 49.98 points or 0.28 percent compared to its previous close at 17,813.62 points.

The Sensex had touched a high of 18,040.69 points in early trade.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was similarly ruling higher at 5,446.15 points, up 16.65 points or 0.31 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were quiet with the BSE 500 index trading 0.25 percent higher. The BSE midcap and small cap indices were trading flat.

Capital goods, auto and banking stocks were the major gainers at this time, while realty and IT scrips were under losses.

The market breadth was positive with 1,329 stocks advancing, 1,262 on the decline and 140 remaining unchanged.

Asian markets were trading mixed.

The Japanese Nikkei was ruling 1.53 percent higher at 10,050.52 points, while Hong Kong's index was trading 0.43 percent higher at 21,431.32 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 0.79 percent down at 2,434.41 points.