Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets closed 157 points higher Friday on the back of good buying support in oil and gas, metal, technology and auto stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 17,201.33 points, closed at 17,233.98 points, up 0.92 percent or 156.80 points from its previous close at 17,077.18 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 17,258.97 points and low of 17,106.57 points in the intra-day.

The 50-scrip S&P; CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange closed 0.90 percent or 46.40 points higher at 5,204.70 points.

At the broader markets, the BSE midcap index closed 0.66 percent higher at 5,872.36 points and the BSE smallcap index advanced 1.30 percent at 6,491.69 points.

There was good buying support in oil and gas, technology, metal and auto stocks.

Buying activities intensified in Reliance Industries Ltd as buy-back date of the company’s share nears.

The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries have offered to buy back up to 12 crore equity shares worth Rs.10,440 crore from the open market at a maximum price of Rs.870 per share. The buy-back will start from Feb 1 and close Jan 19, 2013.

Reliance Industries share rallied 3.48 percent to close at Rs.817.60 Friday.

Sterlite Inds surged 5.49 percent at Rs.120.15. Other prominent Sensex gainers were: Tata Motors, up 4.10 percent at Rs.239.90; L&T;, up 3.76 percent at Rs.1,381.60; Bharti Airtel, up 3.66 percent at Rs.372.55; and Tata Steel, up 3.09 percent at Rs.458.75.

Major losers on the 30-scrip index were: DLF, down 3.47 percent at Rs.211.55; Bajaj Auto, down 3.07 percent at Rs.1,538.20; BHEL, down 2.84 percent at Rs.273.65; and Hero MotoCorp, down 2.21 percent at Rs.1821.85.