Mumbai, June 27 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 0.52 percent higher in the afternoon session Wednesday led by robust buying in power, IT and metal stocks and firm Asian cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,975.76 points, was trading at 16,994.55 points around 12.30 p. m., up 0.52 percent or 87.97 points from its previous close at 16,906.58 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.59 percent higher at 5,151.10 points.

The BSE power index was up 22.28 points, the IT index was up 61.03 points and the metal index was up 103.03 points.

Major Sensex gainers were Tata Power, up 2.36 percent at Rs. 97.75; TCS, up 1.65 percent at Rs. 1,253; Sun Pharma, up 1.61 percent at Rs. 626.65; Tata Steel, up 1.54 percent at Rs. 416.70 and HDFC Bank, up 1.53 percent at Rs. 552.45.

Major Sensex losers were Tata Motors, down 1.18 percent at Rs. 243.70; Mahindra and Mahindra, down 0.77 percent at Rs. 688.50; ONGC, down 0.74 percent at Rs. 275.05; Cipla, down 0.42 at Rs. 396.95; Hindustan Unilever, down 0.37 percent at Rs. 449.40.

In the Asian region, the Japan's Nikkei was up 0.77 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1 percent. (IANS)