Mumbai, Jul 25 (IANS): Indian equity markets traded in the positive territory on Monday prompted by positive global cues and expectations of healthy quarterly results.

Consequently, the two key indices traded in the green during the mid-afternoon trade session, as healthy buying was witnessed in all the 19 sub-indices of the BSE, led by stocks of consumer durables, oil and gas and banks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) surged by 40.70 points or 0.48 per cent to 8,581.90 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 27,753.96 points, traded at 27,958.44 points (at 1.00 p.m.) -- up 155.20 points or 0.56 per cent from the previous close at 27,803.24 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 27,961.16 points and a low of 27,736.51 points during the intra-day trade so far.

The BSE market breadth was skewed in favour of the bulls -- with 1,660 advances and 817 declines.

On Friday, the benchmark indices were lifted by positive domestic cues and continued inflow of foreign funds.

The barometer index rose by 92.72 points or 0.33 per cent, while the NSE Nifty edged up by 31.10 points or 0.37 per cent.