Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS): Key Indian equity indices extended their gains for the third consecutive session on Monday on the back of positive global cues and healthy buying in auto, IT and healthcare stocks.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) provisionally closed (at 3.30 p.m.) higher by 61.20 points or 0.60 per cent at 10,326.85 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 33,317.72 points, closed at 33,455.79 points -- up 205.49 points or 0.62 per cent -- from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,535.97 points and a low of 33,313.17 during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1,427 advances and 1,288 declines.

On the BSE market breadth, Tata Consultancy Services, Mahindra and Mahindra, Lupin, HDFC and Wipro were the top gainers.

On Friday, the key indices closed on a higher note as positive global cues and a surge in FMCG, healthcare, metal and auto stocks gave a boost to investors' sentiments.

The NSE Nifty50 rose by 98.95 points or 0.97 per cent to close at 10,265.65 points, while the BSE Sensex surged by 301.09 points or 0.91 per cent to close at 33,034.20 points.