Mumbai, May 21 - A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading high around 12:30 p.m. Monday on account of buying activity picking up in capital goods, banking and realty index.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was ruling at 16,216.08 points, up by 0.39 percent or 63.33 points from its previous close of 16,152.75 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 16,286.14 points and a low of 16,172.05 points in the intra-day trade. The Sensex midcap was up 33.09 points but smallcap was up 61.44 points.

The BSE capital goods index was up 1.53 percent or 133.42 points followed by banking index up 1.34 percent or 143.43 points and realty index up 1.18 percent or 18.34 points.

Major Sensex gainers included State Bank of India, up 3.71 percent at Rs.2,014; Maruti Suzuki up 3.23 percent at Rs.1,202.70, Tata Power, up 3.23 percent at Rs.94.35; larsen and Toubro, up 1.93 percent at Rs.1,184.10; Hindalco Inds, up 1.76 percent at Rs.109.90.

Major Sensex losers included NTPC, down 2.10 percent at Rs.142.20; Wipro, down 1.54 percent at Rs.384.80; Bajaj Auto, down 1.43 percent at Rs.1,511; Infosys, 1.36 percent at Rs.2,352.90; Tata Steel, 1.31 percent at Rs.394.60.