Mumbai, April 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets touched a record high of 22,878.98 points Wednesday for the third straight day, surpassing a new high of 22,853.03 points it touched Tuesday.

Good buying was observed in capital goods, banking, healthcare and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 22,783.65 points, was trading at 22,867.31 points in the pre-noon session, up 108.94 points or 0.48 percent from the previous day's close at 22,758.37 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,878.98 points and a low of 22,780.13 points in trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods sector gained 179.12 points, bankex went up by 106.71 points, healthcare index moved up by 123.55 points and oil and gas index inched up by 80.49 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained 28.90 points or 0.42 percent and was trading at 6,844.25 points.