Mumbai, Oct 12 - Helped by buoyant IT heavyweights, a benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday rose in early trade and was ruling about 175 points higher minutes after opening bell.

The scrip of IT major Infosys rose over 5.5 percent in morning trade soon after announcing an 11 percent jump in net profit at Rs. 1,906 crore over the June quarter 2011. Other IT bluechip firms too were trading higher.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, opened at 16,660.43 points and was ruling at 16,712.21 points, up 175.74 points or 1.06 percent from its previous close at 16,536.47 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading higher, 1.13 percent or 56 points up at 5,030.35 points.

Broader markets were also in the green. The BSE midcap index was up 0.8 percent, while the BSE small cap index was ruling 0.91 percent up. (IANS)