Mumbai, March 4 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 198.20 points or 0.95 percent in the pre-noon trade Tuesday.

The rally was led by good buying in the consumer durables, capital goods, metal and banking index (bankex) sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,947 points, was trading at 21,144.85 points in the pre-noon session, up 198.20 points or 0.95 percent from the previous day's close at 20,946.65 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,158.30 points and a low of 20,940.39 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE consumer durables index gained 103.14 points, metal index moved up by 179.26points, capital goods index got augmented by 128.41points and bankex inched up by 198.20points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 56.20 points or 0.90 percent and was trading at 6,277.65 points. (IANS)