A key index of the Indian equities markets started in the green Friday after having lost for four consecutive days. The benchmark index was up 1.26 percent, about half an hour into trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened higher at 16,135.87 points and, about 30 minutes after opening bell, was at 16,255.52 points, 1.26 percent or 202.8 points higher than its previous close at 16,052.72 points.

Around the same time, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also in the positive zone at 4,824.6 points, up 1.56 percent from its last close.

Broader market indices were in the green as well, with the BSE midcap index 2.36 percent up, while the BSE small cap index was trading 2.32 percent higher.