Mumbai, March 1 : Indian equities continued to rule strong Tuesday a day after the presentation of the federal budget as investor sentiment was boosted by the measures to attract foreign investors, including overseas funds, to mutual funds.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,982.28 points, against the previous day's close at 17,823.40 points, and shot up further to 18,169.83 points.

Some two hours into trading, the key index was ruling at 18,141.44 points, with a gain of 318.04 points, or 1.78 percent. All the 13 sector-specific indices of the exchange were also ruling in the positive territory.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,434.50 points, with a gain of 101.25 points, ot 1.90 percent.(IANS)