Mumbai, Dec 4 (IANS): Key Indian equity indices on Monday opened on a higher note with healthy buying in consumer durables, auto and healthcare stocks.

At 9.16 a.m., the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded higher by 44.65 points or 0.44 per cent at 10,166.45 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 32,968.02 points, traded at 32,957.44 points -- up 124.50 points or 0.38 per cent -- from Friday's close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,008.47 points and a low of 32,955.49 during the intra-day trade so far.

The BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1,054 advances and 343 declines.

On Friday, the benchmark indices were dragged lower by growing concerns over the country's widening fiscal deficit, coupled with negative global cues and profit booking in auto, metal and oil and gas stocks.

The wider Nifty50 declined by 104.75 points or 1.02 per cent to close at 10,121.80 points, while Sensex closed at 32,832.94 points -- down 316.41 points or 0.95 per cent.