The markets have remained firm in the noon session, thanks to a conducive global environment. The BSE Sensex is quoting at 17944, higher by 68 points, and the Nifty is at 5387, up 18 points.
The European markets have been flying around, with the FTSE, DAX and CAC gaining between 1% and 2% each. And the Asian markets are also betraying a comfortable ring to them in their final minutes of trade.
Back home, it is metals all the way. Tata Steel has shown no signs of surrendering its numero uno position. The metal heavyweight is quoting at Rs 526, stronger by 3.3%, on the NSE. Sterlite has gained 3% at Rs 171, Sail has gained 2.3% at Rs 203, Jindal Steel has added 2.2% at Rs 633 and Hindalco is up 2.2% at Rs 156.
The banking sector is looking soft though. On the other hand, Axis Bank has shed 2.1% at Rs 1339, Kotak Bank has weakened by 2% at Rs 766, HDFC has lost 1.2% at Rs 2976 and SBI is down 0.5% at Rs 2435.