The benchmark indices have held on to their early early gains, thanks to the strength on the heavyweight metal and banking counters. The BSE Sensex has consolidated its place above the 20k mark and is now quoting at 20,116, stronger by 90 points and the Nifty has reclaimed the 6k level at 6022, up 22 points. The midcap index is at 7668, higher by 49 points and the smallcap index is at 9508, up 103 points. All the sectoral indices are in the green, with the exception of the auto and IT space.
The metal sector has soared by 1.1% at 17280 to emerge as the leading sectoral gainer this morning. In the metal space, Hindalco has jumped by 2.1% at Rs 242, Sterlite has gained 1.1% at Rs 181, Jindal Steel has added 1.1% at Rs 708 and Tata Steel has strengthened by 1% at Rs 671. And index bellweather RIL has edged higher by 0.4% at Rs 1051. The banking space has seen the likes of HDFC Bank hardening by 1.8% at Rs 2298, SBI adding 0.5% at Rs 2743 and ICICI Bank adding 0.2% at Rs 1116.
On the other hand, IT major Wipro has slid by 1% at Rs 486 to emerge as the top loser on the BSE. And in the auto space, Tata Motors has slipped by 0.8% at Rs 1256, M&M has lost 0.6% at Rs 759 and Hero Honda has lost 0.1% at Rs 1938.
The market breadth is positive. Out of 2447 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1777 advancing stocks as against 580 declines.