The markets continue to trade in a sideways manner. The index is at 18,097, up 47 points, and the Nifty is up 11 points at 5,429.
On the Asian front, the markets have pared their initial losses. The Hang Seng and Nikkei are flat at 21,078 and 9,175 respectively.
Among the BSE sectoral indices, Metal, Teck, Health Care, Realty and IT have slipped into the red. Bankex, up 0.8%, is the leading gainer, followed by Consumer Durables and Capital Goods.
Jindal Steel, adding 1.3%, continues to lead the Sensex gainers list, followed by HDFC, Hindalco and Hero Honda. Index heavyweight RIL has inched 0.1% higher at Rs 978.
Among the losers on the Sensex are Sterlite, down 2%, ONGC has lost nearly 1% and Hindustan Unilever has shed 0.5%.
The market breadth remains positive. 1547 stoks advanced while 1103 declined.