Mumbai, Sep 3 - Indian equities markets remained dull Thursday, with a key index trading in a narrow range in the afternoon to be 52 points higher than its previous close.

At 1.12 p.m., the 30-scrip benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened at 15,539.34 points, was at 15,519.6 points -- 52.14 points or 0.34 percent higher than Wednesday's close.

Around the same time, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), too, was trading in the positive terrain at 4,632.8 points, up 0.53 percent.

Broader market indices were faring better, with the BSE midcap index trading 1.02 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index moving up 1.33 percent.

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, those for realty, metal, and consumer durables were gaining, while some healthcare stocks came under selling pressure.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,643 stocks on the rise, compared to 949 on the decline, and 100 remaining unchanged.