In line with expectations, the markets have opened on a strong note with the Sensex gaining 100 points at 20,067 while the Nifty gained 37 points to start at 6,029. The broader markets too opened up gaining 0.5% each.
On the BSE sectoral indices, Metal up 1% is the top gainer followed by IT and Realty up 0.9% and 0.8% respectively.However, FMCG index has opened in the red losing 0.1%. Auto and Capital Goods adding 0.2% and 0.3% are the least gainers on the chart.
On the international front, the Asian markets were trading mixed as Friday's disappointing US jobs report dampened sentiment. Hang Seng was up nearly 1% while Nikkei was down 0.3%.
The top gainers on the Sensex in the opening trades are Cipla, Jaiprakash Associates, Sterlite, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and Jindal Steel gaining 1% each.
Hero Honda down 3% is the top loser followed by ITC, L&T and Maruti Suzuki losing 0.07% - 0.8% are the only losers at the start of the trade.
The market breadth is very positive. 869 stocks have advanced while 286 have declined.
Shares of R.P.P. Infra Projects was listed today in the secondary equity markets. It was listed at Rs 68 and quickly touched a high of Rs 80 in the opening trades. The top end of the IPO was priced at Rs 68- 75 per share price band.