The Sensex has ended (provisional) at 16,998 - up 225 points.
The Nifty ended up 72 points at 5,089.
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(Updated at 1500 hrs)
The Sensex is at the day's high of 16,966 - up 193 point. The Nifty is up 62 points at 5,079.
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(Updated at 1421 hrs)
Markets have gained steadily on buying in realty and oil stocks.
The Sensex has touched a high of 16,944 - up 171 points. The Nifty is now up 57 points at 5,074.
Exports rose for the third consecutive month as data showed a jump in services and manufacturing activity in the month of February.
All sectoral indices are in the green - led by realty and oil indices. The power, metal and bankex have also gained.
Tata Power has gained 5.4% at Rs 1,339. Jaiprakash Associates has rallied 4% to Rs 142.
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Reliance has jumped 2% to Rs 1,009. DLF and Mahindra & Mahindra have added 2.4% each to Rs 300 and Rs 1,080, respectively.
Sun Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, HDFC, SBI, Tata Motors and Hindalco have added over 1% each.
However, ONGC has dropped 1% to Rs 1,100. Maruti Suzuki has slipped 1% to Rs 1,476.
The BSE market breadth is positive. Out of 2,865 stocks traded, 1,909 have advanced while 878 have declined.