Markets open in green on US cues

Markets opened on a positive note this morning, taking cues from the US markets, even as Asian peers trade mixed.

The Sensex opened flat at 17,371. The index thereafter touched a high of 17,465 and is now up 45 poinst at 17,431.

The Nifty is up 17 points at 5,239.

US markets ended in green on Monday as hopes of a financial recovery strenghtened as Europe introduced a rescue package for Greece. The Dow added 143 points (1.3%) to 11,151. The Nasdaq jumped 38 points (1.5%) to 2,498. The S&P 500 advanced 16 points (1.3%) to 1,202.

Asian markets are trading mixed this morning, in spite of cues from the US markets. The Hang Seng has added 136 points to 20,947. However, the Straits Times has dropped 28 points (1%) to 2,916.

BSE healthcare and realty indices have added 0.6% to 5,376 and 3,473, respectively. Auto and metal have also advanced in trades today.

Most of the stocks in the Sensex are tading flat with a positive bias.

Jaiparaksh Asoociates has gained 1.5% at Rs 146.

ACC and Hindustan Unilever have added 0.8% each to Rs 911 and Rs 236, respectively.

HDFC, Reliance Communications, Maruti and ICICI Bank are marginally up.

However, Hindalco has dropped 0.4% to Rs 172.