Markets strong in noon trades

Markets have continued to trade in green after volatile movements earlier in the day. The Sensex is now up 73 points at 16,645.

The Nifty is up 21 points at 4,991.

BSE small-cap index has gained 0.65% to 8,518. Earlier in the day, the index had jumped to a high of 8,549.

Reliance Communications continues to shine, albeit after paring some of its early gains. The stock is up 5% at Rs 146. Bharti Airtel is up 1.4% to Rs 261.

ONGC has jumped 3% to Rs 1179.

Reliance Infrastructure, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Motors have advanced 1-2% each.

Maruti Suzuki, Jaiprakash Associates, Hero Honda and TCS are the other top gainers in the index today.

Meanwhile, Tata Power has dropped 2% to Rs 1,236. Jindal Steel, HDFC Bank, ITC and Wipro have dropped 1% each.

BSE market breadth is positive. Out of 2646 stocks traded, 1597 have advanced while 973 have declined.