Mumbai, March 25 : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday in afternoon trade was up 1.03 percent, continuing to hold on to its early gains amid positive cues from other major Asian bourses.

The benchmark indices, however, were trading in a tight range.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,480.69 points, was ruling at 18,539.87 points, up 189.13 points or 1.03 percent from its previous close at 18,350.74 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading 0.98 percent higher at 5,576.45 points.

Broader markets were also in the positive. The BSE midcap index was trading 0.75 percent up, while the BSE smallcap was up 0.84 percent.

Most of the sectors saw buying support. All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in the green.

Among major gainers on the Sensex, at this time of the day, were Infosys, Wipro, L&T and DLF, while the losers included Tata Steel, Cipla and Hindustan Unilever.

The market breadth was positive with 1,609 stocks advancing, 1,114 scrips on the decline and 129 remaining unchanged.

Most Asian markets were in the green tracking overnight gains at Wall Street. Stocks in the US had risen following release of positive employment data and higher corporate earnings.

The Japanese Nikkei average closed 1.07 percent higher at 9,536.13 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.8 percent to trade at 23,098.82 points, while China's Shanghai Composite ended 1.02 percent higher at 2,976.62 points.(IANS)