Markets continue to trade firm

Markets have surged in morning trades on buying in specific sectors and a positive Asian market.

The Sensex is up 178 points at 19,596. Nifty is up 53 points at 5,881.

CNX IT index has gained 1.3% at 6,535. The Nifty Junior is up 1% at 12,514.

Asian markets have gained. The Hang Seng has added 1% to 21,906. Nikkei is up 1% at 9,619 on a weakening Yen. Taiwan Weighted has also jumped 1% in morning trades.

Hindalco is the big gainer among Nifty stocks, jumping over 2.3% to Rs 186. Communication stocks have gained. Reliance Communications and Bharti Airtel are up 2.2% each at Rs 162 and Rs 355, respectively.

Cements stock- Ambuja Cements and steel stocks - Jindal Steel, Tata Steel have jumped around 2% each.

ABB, TCS, Gail and Unitech are some of the other big gainers.

However, HDFC has bucked the trend and is down nearly 1% at Rs 686.