Markets rebound; Energy, pharma stocks gain

The markets have rebounded into the positive territory on the back of fresh buying in energy, healthcare and select metal stocks. The BSE benchmark index, the Sensex, is now up 56 points at 20,532.

The NSE Nifty has advanced 20 points to 6179.

Jaiprakash Associates is the top gainer, up 2% at Rs 129. ACC and Jindal Steel have moved up 1.5% each to Rs 1,028 and Rs 740, respectively.

Reliance, Mahindra & Mahindra and Reliance Infrastructure are up over 1% each at Rs 1,030, Rs 740 and Rs 1,093, respectively.

On the other hand, Hindustan Unilever has slipped 1.5% to Rs 304. HDFC is down over 1% at Rs 751.

Aban Offshore is the major gainer in the oil & gas space, the stock has rallied nearly 3% to Rs 883. BPCL, Indian Oil and Essar Oil are the other major gainers.

From the Healthcare space - Orchid Chemicals has zoomed over 9% to Rs 301. Glenmark Pharma, Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma, Ranbaxy, Divis's Lab and Opto Circuits are the other major gainers.

The market breadth is fairly positive - out of 2,746 stocks traded so far, 1,646 have advanced while 995 have declined on the BSE.