Mumbai, March 18 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets soared 144.47 points or 0.66 percent in pre-noon trade Tuesday to touch a new high of 22,040.72 points.

This record high surpassed the previous high-mark of 22,023.98 hit on March 10.

The rally was led by banking, oil and gas, metal and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,849.65 points, was trading at 21,954.27 points in the pre-noon session, up 144.47 points or 0.66 percent from the previous day's close at 21,809.80 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,040.72 points and a low of 21,849.65 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex went up by 195.42 points, oil and gas index gained 191.66 points, metal index climbed 95.71 points and FMCG index rose by 76.40 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained by 45.65 points or 0.70 percent and was trading at 6,549.85 points. (IANS)