Mumbai, Nov 27 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday was up 248 points following healthy buying in consumer durables, bank, metal, capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,616.55 points, was ruling at 18,785.81 points around 2.00 p.m., up 248.80 points or 1.34 percent from its previous close at 18,537.01 points.

The benchmark index touched a high of 18,805.77 points and low of 18,616.55 points intra-day. The BSE midcap index was up 84.37 points, the smallcap index was higher by 53.88 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was up 70.40 points or 1.25 percent at 5,706.30 points.

The consumer durables index was up 235.39 points, while the bank index edged higher by 216.27 points, followed by metals index, up 149.49 points, capital goods index, up 120.91 points and FMCG index, up 96.45 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei rose 0.37 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.08 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was down 1.30 percent.