Mumbai, March 6 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 87.82 points or 0.41 percent in the pre-noon trade Thursday.

Good buying was observed in metal, oil and gas and capital goods sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,336.32 points, was trading at 21,364.68 points in the pre-noon session, up 87.82 points or 0.41 percent from the previous day's close at 21,276.86 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,398.56 points and a low of 21,329.88 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE metal index gained 130.98 points, oil and gas index moved up by 99.06 points and capital goods index inched up by 96.37 points. However, FMCG index slipped by 14.07 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 30.75 points or 0.49 percent up at 6,359.40 points. (IANS)