Mumbai, March 7 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets soared to a new high of 21,866.51 points during pre-noon trade Friday. It gained 213.87 points or 0.99 percent during pre-noon trade session.

Good buying was observed in banking index (bankex), capital goods,oil and gas and auto sectors, while selling pressure was seen in IT and healthcare sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,539.44 points, was trading at 21,727.74 points in the pre-noon session, up 213.87 points or 0.99 percent from the previous day's close at 21,513.87 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,866.51 points and a low of 21,539.44 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex increased by 552.04 points, capital goods index gained 438.53 points, oil and gas index soared 145.84 points and auto index went up by 101.65 points. However, IT dropped by 250.86 points and healthcare index slipped by 237.90 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also soared to a new high and gained 71.55 points or 1.12 percent and was trading at 6,472.70 points.