Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets ended Wednesday almost 2.5 percent higher than its previous close, while another closed above the 5,000-level as investors bought into metal, IT and telecom stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened higher at 16,444.44 points, shut shop at 16,849.6 points, 2.49 percent or 409.04 points above its previous close at 16,440.56 points.

The S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended above the 5,000-mark at 5,003.95 points, up 2.5 percent from its last close.

Broader market indices closed in the positive zone as well with the BSE midcap index 2.01 percent higher and the BSE small cap index 1.6 percent up.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,726 stocks advancing, 1,004 declining and 87 remaining unchanged.

All the 30 stocks on the Sensex ended as gainers, prominent among them being Sterlite, up 6.5 percent at Rs.858.05; Jaiprakash Associates, up 6.27 percent at Rs.241.45; Reliance Infra, up 5.31 percent at Rs.1,160.45; and Tata Motors, up 4.68 percent at Rs.621.55.

Shares of Reliance Industries gained 2.7 percent to end at Rs.2,107.95 with news reports suggesting that the company was scouting for overseas acquisitions.

Other leading Asian markets were a mixed bag.

The primary index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Hang Seng, closed 359.05 points or 1.61 percent up at 22,627.21 points.

The Nikkei, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, shut flat at 9,871.68 points, rising marginally by 0.01 percent

The Shanghai Stock Exchange composite index also ended similarly, falling a meagre 0.11 percent at 3,175.19 points.

South Korean index Kospi rose 0.79 percent to 1,594.82 points.

European markets were ruling in the green.

Britain's FTSE 100 index was ruling 1.17 percent higher at 5,291.49 points, while its German peer, DAX, was trading at 5,689.07 points, up 1.35 points.

The French index, CAC 40, was also ruling in the positive at 3,830.49 points, up 1.19 percent.