Mumbai, May 20 (IANS): 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.