The markets have held on to their gains in the past one hour, defying the weakness on the Asian bourses. The Sensex is at 17,055, higher by 72 points, and the Nifty is at 5,093, up 27 points. Metals, realty stocks and energy stocks are leading the upmove.
Metal stocks have rebounded after the previous day's correction. Hindalco is trading higher by Rs 3 or 2.1% at Rs 145, Bharti Airtel has gained an additional Rs 6 or 1.9% at Rs 322 and Tata Steel has strengthened by Rs 10 or 1.9% at Rs 567. Reliance has put on Rs 17 or 1.6% at Rs 1,072.
DLF, Sterlite and NTPC are the other notable gainers.
Among the losers, SBI has weakened by Rs 19 or 0.8% at Rs 2,305, Reliance Communications has lost 0.7% at Rs 174 and TCS is trading lower by 0.3% at Rs 695.
The market breadth is strong. Out of 2,615 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,612 advancing stocks as against 909 declines.
JSW Steel tops the value charts on the BSE, clocking a turnover of Rs 49.88 crore, followed by Reliance at Rs 39.86 crore, SBI at Rs 35.70 crore, Suzlon at Rs 35.57 crore and Tata Steel at Rs 33.90 crore.
Suzlon has clocked he highest volumes of 4.27 million, followed by Praj Industries at 1.34 million, Essar Oil at 0.90 million, Reliance Communications at 0.68 million and HDIL at 0.67 million.