Markets end on a strong note

The markets finally ended on a strong note. The Sensex ended (provisional) at 18,095, up 226 points. The NSE Nifty moved up 69 points to 5437.
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(Updated at 1500 hrs)

The markets after displaying strength throughout the day, seems set to end on a strong note. The Sensex is now up 192 points at 18,060. The NSE Nifty is up 59 points at 5427.

The Dow futures are up over 100 points, and the European markets too continue to trade on a firm note.

The BSE Bankex has rallied 2% to 11,763. The Metal and FMCG indices too have surged over 1% each. In fact, the BSE FMCG has hit a fresh all-time high of 3,269.

Index heavyweight ITC has touched a fresh all-time high, and also Britannia. Hindustan Unilever trades higher, while Ruchi Soya, Godrej Consumer Products, Colgate Palmolive and Nestle too have logged in gains.

Among other stocks - ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel continue to trade on a strong note.

Sterlite, ONGC, Hindalco and SBI are the other major gainers.

The market breadth is fairly positive - out 3,019 stocks traded so far, 1,739 have advanced and 1,192 have declined on the BSE.