The markets have opened on a firm note, in sync with their Asian counterparts. The Sensex is at 18201, stronger by 201 points and the Nifty is at 5467, higher by 58 points.
The Asian indices had opened in the green on the back of better-than-expected US GDP numbers. Hang Seng was quoting at 20,597 and Nikkei was at 9,265, higher by 274 points, in early trades after the yen slipped as the Bank of Japan began an emergency policy meeting.
On the broader markets, the smallcap index opened at 9,673 and the midcap index at 7,680, each up 1.3%, while the benchmark index is at 0.9%
All the sectoral indices on the BSE are in the green.Metal up 1.8% leads followed by Realty, Consumer Durables and Auto. IT and FMCG are the least gainers in the opening trades.
Tata Steel up nearly 3% is the top gainer on the Sensex. Jindal Steel, ICICI Bank and Hindalco up 2% are the othe noteable gainers.
TCS down nearly 1% is the top loser followed by Infosys, HDFC Bank and Hindustan Unilever rounding the list.
Market breadth is very positive. 1664 stocks have advanced while 343 have declined.
