Ruling almost a percent higher within minutes of the opening bell, the benchmark index for Indian equities opened on a firm note on Monday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,034.92 points, was ruling at 17,161.5 points at 9.34 a. m., 167.01 points or 0.98 percent higher than its previous close at 16,971.7 points.

With a gain of 1.06 percent, the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,142.8 points against the previous close at 5,088.7 points at the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

With the BSE midcap index ruling 1.06 percent higher and the BSE small cap index 1.04 percent up, broader markets also saw gains. (With Input from Agencies)