Mumbai, Aug 26 - Powered by a smart rally in IT and realty stocks, a key index of Indian equities markets extended its winning streak to the fifth consecutive session Wednesday despite volatile trading and ended 81 points above its previous close.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened higher on strong Asian cues at 15,763.09 points, ended at 15,769.85 points, up 81.38 points or 0.52 percent.

Around noon, the index had slipped to a low of 15,695.94 points, but recouped losses and touched an intra day high of 15,831.49 points.

The broader-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed higher at 4,680.85 points, up 0.46 percent.

Broader market indices also ended in the green, with the BSE midcap index closing 1.1 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index ending 1.97 percent up.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,943 stocks advancing, 851 declining and 73 remaining unchanged.

Of the 30 stocks on the Sensex, IT major Infosys led the rally, with 4.07 percent increase in its share prices. Other major gainers include Sterlite, up 3.