Markets trade firm

The markets continue to trade on a firm note. The Sensex touched a high of 17,552, and is now up 99 points at 17,540.

The NSE Nifty is up 30 points at 5,266.

TCS has moved up 1.7% to Rs 752. Jindal Steel has added 1.5% to Rs 625.

Mahindra & Mahindra and Wipro have advanced 1.3% each to Rs 619 and Rs 394, respectively.

HDFC Bank is up 1% at Rs 1,932.

Reliance Communications is notable loser for the second day in a row, down almost 2% at Rs 182.

Maruti, Hero Honda and Jaiprakash Associates are the only other losers in the Sensex stocks.

The market breadth is fairly positive - out of 2,687 stocks traded so far, 1,637 have advanced, 948 have declined on the BSE.