Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Wednesday closed 242 points higher than its previous close, with realty, metal and telecom stocks soaring.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,027.12 points, closed at 18,214.08 points (provisional), 242.96 points or 1.35 percent up from its previous close at 17,971.12 points.

It had risen to 18,227.14 points earlier.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended 0.6 percent up at 5,435 points.

Broader markets indices also closed in the green. The BSE midcap index shut shop 1.69 percent higher, while the BSE smallcap index closed 1.87 percent up.