Mumbai, May 13 : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday rose in the morning session even as cues from other Asian markets were negative.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,362.45 points, was ruling at 18,524.04 points, up 188.25 points or 1.03 percent from its previous close at 18,335.79 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher at 5,554.8 points, up 1.25 percent.

Broader markets were in the green too, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.76 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.61 percent up.

Metal, FMCG, banking and auto stocks were among top gainers. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the positive.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive with 1,413 stocks advancing, 622 on the decline and 84 unchanged.

Among gainers on the Sensex were Hindalco, Hero Honda, Jaiprakash Associates and ONGC. There were no losers on the 30-scrips Sensex.

The fall in commodities prices continued to pull down Asian markets.

The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange was ruling 1.1 percent lower at 9,608.53 points, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed 0.44 percent down at 22,972.79 points.

The Shanghai Composite index of the Chinese markets was trading flat at 2,845.71 points.(IANS)