The markets are trading in a steady manner this afternoon. The Sensex is quoting at 17996, higher by 68 points or 0.3% and the Nifty is at 5405, up 19 points. And the broader indices have gone a step further to emerge as clear outperformers. While the benchmark indices are up less than half a percent each, the midcap index is quoting at 7450, higher by 37 points or 0.5% and the smallcap index is at 9515, up 59 points or 0.6%.
Metals are in the limelight among the heavyweights. Sterlite has zoomed by 2.4% at Rs 167 to top the gainers list on the BSE. Hindalco has hardened by 1.6% at Rs 154 and Tata Steel has added 1.2% at Rs 518.
In the midcap space, Bayer CropScience has soared by 9.2% at Rs 881, Motherson Sumi Systems has zoomed by 4.6% at Rs 158 and Madras Cements has added 3.8% at Rs 106. And in the smallcap space, Z F Steering Gear has soared by 11% at Rs 439, Jagatjit Industries has zoomed 11% at Rs 80 and Ferro Alloys Corporation has added 7.9% at Rs 28.
Among the Sensex losers, Hindustan Unilever has shed 0.7% at Rs 262, Hero Honda has lost 0.3% at Rs 1951 and Jindal Steel has weakened by 0.1% at Rs 624.
The market breadth is positive. Out of 2848 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1709 advancing stocks as against 1036 declines.