Mumbai, May 23 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets surged 206.39 points or 0.85 percent Friday as capital goods and oil and gas stocks gain.

Good buying was observed in capital goods, oil and gas, metal and IT sectors, while selling pressure was observed in consumer durables and banking sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 24,535.14 points, was trading at 24,580.79 points in the pre-noon session, up 206.39 points or 0.85 percent from the previous day's close at 24,374.40 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 24,697.60 points and a low of 24,470.78 points in trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods index gained 280.77 points, oil and gas index mopped up 171.70 points, metal index went up by 129.54 points and IT index moved up by 107.99 points. However, consumer durables index dropped by 49.83 points and bankex went down by 41.02 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 57.15 points or 0.79 percent and was trading at 7,333.55 points. (IANS)