MUMBAI - Indian equities markets were on the rise Wednesday, with a key index rising 228 points higher around noon, comapred to its last closing figure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which had opened at 11,091.56 points, was ruling at 11,230.16 points, 2.08 percent or 228.41 points higher than its previous close.

Similarly, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was ruling at 3,432.65 points, 2.09 percent higher than its last close.

Among broader market indices, the BSE midcap index rose 0.83 percent, while the BSE smallcap index was up 0.98 percent.

All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in positive terrain, with the indices for IT, banking and telecom stocks gaining the most.

Gainers among the 30-scrip Sensex included ICICI Bank, up 4.13 percent at Rs.457.50; HDFC, up 3.95 percent at Rs.1,737.05; Sun Pharma, up 3.93 percent at Rs.1,274; and Wipro, up 3.73 percent at Rs.327.15.

There were only three losing scrips around noon: Maruti Suzuki, down 1.21 percent at Rs.791; Tata Motors, down 1.07 percent at Rs.230.30; and L&T, down 0.65 percent at Rs.867.

Other Asian markets gave out mixed signals, with a key Japanese index - the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange - losing 232.57 points to close at 8,493.774 points, and the Hang Seng, a key index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ruling in the green at 14,938.22 points, 383.11 points above its previous close.

Major US stock indices slipped Tuesday amid concerns that banks may have to raise more money.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 51.29 points, or 0.64 percent, to 8,025. The broader Standard and Poor’s 500 Index dropped 8.72 points, or 1.01 percent, to 857.51. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index fell 14.88 points, or 0.88 percent, to 1,679.41.