Mumbai: A benchmark index of the Indian equities market advanced more than half percent by noon Wednesday, led by good buying support in metal, banks and FMCG on the back of positive Asian cues. The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened in the positive terrain at 20,060.88 points from the previous close of 20,025.42 points. The Sensex held on the early gains and was ruling at 20,163.47 points, up 0.69 percent or 138.05 points around noon. HDFC Bank surged 2.37 percent to 2,310.70. HDFC rose 1.72 percent to 712.05 and Bharti Airtel jumped 1.64 percent to 347.80. At the National Stock Exchange 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.71 percent or 42.65 points up at 6,038.65 points. At the broader market, the BSE smallcap index climbed over one percent and midcap was up 0.75 percent. The BSE metal index was up 1.25 percent, the Bankex up 1.07 percent and consumer durables index was 1.66 percent higher.