Mumbai, Dec 20 -  A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 173.01 points or 0.84 percent during the pre-noon trade Friday.

The rally was led by IT, oil and gas, auto and banking index (bankex) sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,792.37 points, was trading at 20,881.63 points in the pre-noon session, up 173.01 points or 0.84 percent from previous day's close at 20,708.62 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,912.52 points, and a low of 20,745.94 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE IT index surged 128.45 points, auto index gained 209 points, oil and gas index increased by 162.88 points and bankex went up by 111.41 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has also gained 63.05 points or 1.02 percent and was trading at 6,229.70 points. (IANS)