The Sensex is now quoting at 17771, higher by 77 points and the Nifty is at 5330, up 25 points.
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(Updated at 1227pm)
The markets have held on to their gains in the afternoon session. The gains across Asia and forecast of a normal monsoon have seemingly boosted the sentiment on Dalal Street. The Sensex is now quoting at 17767, higher by 73 points and the Nifty is at 5327, up 23 points. The mid-cap index is half a per cent higher at 7168 and the smallcap space is up nearly a per cent at 9265.
The metals space is the top sectoral gainer on the BSE. Sterlite has appreciated by 3.5% at Rs 823 ahead of its Q4 results. Hindalco has added 3.3% at Rs 184 and Tata Steel has added 2.3% at Rs 663.
On the losers side, Sun Pharma has weakened by 4.1% at Rs 1614 and DLF has shed 2.3% at Rs 323. Another results candidate, Maruti has lost 1.5% at Rs 1341 and RIL, whose quarterly numbers disappointed the Street, has slipped by 1.2% at Rs 1073.
And the realty sector is also looking weak. HDIL, DLF and Parsvnath Developers have lost between 1% and 3% each.
The market breath is strong. Out of 2837 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1659 advancing stocks as against 1089 declines.
