Mumbai, April 21 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets gained 73.03 points or 0.32 percent during the pre-noon trade Monday.

Good buying was seen in capital goods, auto, metal and banking sectors, while marginal selling pressure was seen in IT and technology, media and entertainment (TECK) sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 22,644.75 points, was trading at 22,701.87 points in the pre-noon session, up 73.03 points or 0.32 percent from the previous day's close at 22,628.84 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,726.86 points and a low of 22,636.75 points in trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods index gained 239.06 points, auto index went up by 130.98 points, metal index moved up by 139.13 points and bankex increased by 101.54 points. However, IT index slipped by 45.08 points and TECK index went down by 10.02 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also gained 17.65 points or 0.26 percent and was trading at 6,797.05 points.