Equity benchmarks today witnessed gains of around 0.8 per cent in afternoon trade. Domestic indices climbed amid mixed Asian stocks. BSE Sensex gained 304 points to trade at 38,518 a short while ago. The NSE Nifty was also up 87 points at 11,428.

However, the rupee, at forex market, depreciated by 15 paise to 71 rupees and 38 paise against the US dollar in afternoon deals.