Mumbai, Aug 19 - A key index of the Indian equities markets was ruling about 24 points higher soon after opening bell Wednesday, while trading remained low key.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 15,079.04 points, as against Tuesday's close at 15,035.26 points. It was ruling at 15,060.08 points, 24.82 or 0.17 percent up, about 10 minutes into trade.

The S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too was trading in the positive terrain at 4,467.8 points, a gain of 0.2 percent.

Broader market indices were faring better with the BSE midcap index up 0.82 percent, and the BSE smallcap index ruling 1.14 percent higher.