Mumbai, May 10 : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets, which shrugged off early weakness to rise around noon, continued to hold on to its moderate gains Tuesday amid volatile trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,564.95 points, was ruling at 18,654.19 points, up 125.23 points or 0.68 percent from its previous close at 18,528.96 points.

It had risen to an intra-day high of 18,689.37 points, while it fell to a low of 18,485.42 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,583.75 points, up 0.57 percent.

Broader markets too nudged up with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.39 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.49 percent up.

FMCG and realty stocks rose, while weakness was seen in consumer durable stocks.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive with 1,410 stocks advancing, 1,133 on the decline and 143 remaining unchanged.

Among gainers on the Sensex were Hindustan Unilever, Sterlite, Reliance Communications and NTPC while the losers included HDFC Bank, Hero Honda, Tata Power and HDFC.

Asian markets were subdued in the wake of the European sovereign debt crisis.

The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.25 percent higher at 9,818.76 points, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.63 percent up at 2,890.63 points.

The Chinese markets were closed on account of a holiday.(IANS)