From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 10:30 AM IST

Indian equities markets soared soon after the opening bell Monday, with a key index rising over 244 points within the first 15 minutes of trading.

The benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, opened at 14,746.51 points, above Friday's close of 14,625.25. Within 15 minutes, it had risen to 14,870.01 points, 244.76 points or 1.67 percent above the last close.

At the same time, the S and amp;P CNX Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) stood at 4,535.65 points, 1.95 percent above its last close at 4,448.95. At this level the Nifty was at its nine month high.

Broader market indices were doing a tad better, with the BSE midcap index rising 2.64 percent from its previous close, while the BSE smallcap index was up 2.7 percent.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)