Equity indices surge, Sensex rises over 200 points (Lead)

Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) Positive cues from the Asian markets -- along with healthy buying in almost all the sectors led by metals, banking and healthcare stocks -- lifted the key Indian equity indices during the mid-afternoon trade session on Friday.

The BSE Sensex surged over 200 points aided by index heavyweights like Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's Lab, Yes Bank and Bharti Airtel, among others.

Around 1 pm, the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged higher by 86.10 points, or 0.83 per cent, to trade at 10,468.80 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 33,832 points, traded at 34,064.04 points -- up 244.54, or 0.72 per cent, from its previous close -- so far touching a high of 34,094.85 points and a low of 33,832 during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bullish with 1,826 advances and 734 declines.

On Thursday, the equity indices closed with marginal losses on the back of volatility infused by futures and options expiry along with negative global cues and a weak rupee.

The Nifty50 had closed lower by 14.75 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 10,382.70 points, while the Sensex fell by 25.36 points, or 0.07 per cent, to close at 33,819.50 points.