Markets firm; banks, realty shine

The Nifty is consolidating in an extremely narrow band of 24-odd points, after a steady start the index touched a high of 6174, and is now at 6171, up 52 points.

The BSE benchmark index, the Sensex, has added 160 points to 20,506.

Among the Nifty 50 stocks - Sun Pharma has rallied 2.7% to Rs 2,250. IDFC, ACC and Kotak Bank have added 2.3% each to Rs 209, Rs 1,087 and Rs 485, respectively.

TCS, Ambuja Cements, Tata Steel and Reliance Power have gained over 2% each.

BPCL however has slipped nearly 1% to Rs 767.

Banking stocks continue to trade higher for the third straight day. Kotak Bank is followed by stocks like Canara Bank, Union Bank, IDBI and Bank of Baroda are the other prominent gainers.

Realty stocks too have bounced back following yesterday's drubbing. Unitech has jumped over 2% to Rs 88. Phoenix Mills, Mahindra Life, Sobha Developers, Anant Raj and Indiabulls Realestate are the top gainers.