Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Tuesday rose in noon trade, helped by strong earnings reported by corporates. Gainers in front-line stocks were led by IT and telecom firms.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,983.2 points, was ruling at 19,008.28 points -- up 126.03 points or 0.67 percent from its previous close at 18,882.25 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too was in the green, trading 36.55 points or 0.65 percent higher at 5,691.3 points.

Broader markets were, however, trading dull, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.24 percent up and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.34 percent higher.

Realty, power and energy stocks saw some selling, while gains were seen in IT and telecom scrips.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,431 stocks advancing compared to 1,133 scrips on the decline, while 107 stocks remained unchanged.

Among gainers on the Sensex were TCS, Wipro, Cipla and Tata Motors, while the losers included Tata Power, Reliance Infra, Jindal Steel and DLF.

Most other Asian stock markets were ruling higher Tuesday, except the Chinese stocks markets which continued to loose after the Chinese central bank's latest move to tighten monetary policy cast a gloom on trading.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index shed 0.44 percent to trade at 2,694.68 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was ruling 0.75 percent higher at 24,339.27 points.

The Japanese Nikkei closed flat at 10,518.98 points.