Markets continue firm trades

Markets opened flat and surged in early trades. The Sensex touched a high of 17,479 and is now up 63 points at 17,444.

Nifty is up 19 points at 5,235.

BSE mid-ap and small-cap indices have gained. Indices are up 1% each at 7,114 and 9,180, respectively.

Metal stocks are leading the early morning rally in the Sensex, Sterlite has jumped 2% to Rs 831. Tata Steel has gained 1.5% at Rs 634. Hindalco is up 1% at Rs 180.

DLF has added 1.6% to Rs 312. Jaiprakash Associates has advanced 1.3% to Rs 148.

ICICI Bank has moved up 1.5% to Rs 933. SBI is up 1% at Rs 2257.

Auto stocks are in green. Maruti Suzuki has added 1.4% to Rs 1289. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors are up 1% each.

However, FMCG stocks are weak. Hindustan Unilever has slipped 1.3% to Rs 239. ITC is down marginally at Rs 267.

Sun Pharma and TCS are down nearly 1% each.