The markets have opened in the positive on the back of strong Asian cues. The Sensex is quoting at 17,099, higher by 77 points and the Nifty is at 5075, up 23 points.
Continuing their recent momentum, the cement stocks have opened firm. Reliance Industries has gained on news that it has bid for LyondellBasell, the $50.7 billion polymers, petrochemicals and fuels company
The leading gainers on the Sensex are Grasim (stronger by 1.2% at Rs 2,351), Reliance (higher by 1.2% at Rs 2,151) and ACC (up 0.9% at Rs 774).
Tata Motors, M&M and ONGC have gained up to 1% each.
On the loser's side, Bharti Airtel has extended its poor run, losing 1.8% at Rs 283, Infosys has shed 1.1% to Rs 2,399 and Reliance Infrastructure is trading with a negative bias at Rs 1,098.
The market breath is strong. Out of 1,457 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,048 advancing stocks as against 380 declines.
