Mumbai: A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip BSE Sensitive Index (Sensex), was trading 150.59 points or 0.54 percent up during the afternoon session on Wednesday.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was trading 44.40 points or 0.53 percent up at 8,410.05 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,749.30 points, was trading at 27,796.12 points (at 1.47 p.m.) -- up 150.59 points or 0.54 percent from the previous day\'s close at 27,645.53 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,903.01 points and a low of 27,743.99 points in the intra-day trade.

Good buying was observed in the information technology (IT), technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and banking sectors, while selling pressure was seen in metal sector.

The S&P BSE IT index gained by 1.73 percent, TECK index got augmented by 1.45 percent and bankex increased by 1.05 percent. However, metal index dropped by 0.79 percent.

Sensex up 151 points in afternoon trade