Markets have pared early gains.
The Sensex is now up 97 points at 16,763. Nifty is up 27 points at 5,030.
Earlier in the day, the Sensex had opened at 16,692 and surged to a high of 16,871 on positive cues from US markets. Markets in US had gained 2-3% each on Thursday as worries about Europe receeded.
The BSE mid and cmall cap indices continue to gain. The indices are up 1.1% each at 6,721 and 8,471, respectively.
Metal stocks continue to shine in trades today. Sterlite has jumped 3.3% to Rs 666. Jindal Steel has added 2.6% to Rs 640.
ITC has gained 2.2% at Rs 281. Mahindra & Mahindra, ACC, DLF, Jaiprakash Associates and Tata Power are the other big gainers today.
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Reliance Communications, Hindalco and BHEL have also advanced.
However, Reliance Infrastructure has suddenly dropped 1% to Rs 1,2050. Maruti Suzuki is down 0.7% at Rs 1,223. Market heavyweights - Reliance, ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro are trading flat at Rs 1,019, Rs 853 and Rs 1,622, respectively.
The BSE market breadth is positive. Out of 2545 stocks traded, 1818 have advanced while 644 have declined.