Markets trade firm

Markets continue to hold gains on back of rally in high beta metal stocks. The Sensex has risen 146 points to 20,554 and the Nifty has risen 46 points to 6191.

Metal stocks are in limelight joining the wide spread rally across Asia. The index is up 2.2% at 17,942. The metal stocks such gold miners and Exchange Traded Funds hit all time high on the Asian bourses. Investors are betting on Gold on concerns over weakening recovery and currency depreciation.  From the BSE Metal space Hindustan Zinc has risen 4%, followed by National Aluminium coporation and Sterlite Industries, also up 3.5%.

All the indices are trading in the green, Consumer Durables and PSU indices are also in limelight in trade today, the index is up 1.8% and 1.2%.

From the PSU space, Shipping Corporation has risen 14%, and Neyveli Lignite, up 5.7% and Indian Bank, up 6%.

From the Consumer Durables space, Whirlpool has risen 4.2%, followed by Bajaj Electricals, up 3.1% and Titan Industries, up 3%.

Midcap and smallcap indices continue to trade firm, the indices are up 1.3% and 1.2% each.

Markets breadth is positive, from 2956 total stocks traded, 1944 stocks are advancing and 901 stocks are declining.