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Markets continue to trade firm with the BSE benchmark index up 63 points at 26,453 and the Nifty gained 25 points to trade at 7,899. The ones leading the gains were ICICI Bank, Tata Motors and L&T.
In the broader markets, the smallcap and midcap indices gained a percent each and continued to outperform the Sensex which was up 0.2%.
IT index down 0.3% was the only sectoral index in red.
Auto index up nearly 2% along with Capital Goods, Metal and Bankex indices up 1% each were the top sectoral gainers.
HDFC, TCS, HUL and Sun Pharma down 1-2% were the top losers among Sensex-30.
HDFC Bank, Hindalco, ITC, Tata Steel, Infosys and RIL were some of the other prominent names in red.
Mahindra & Mahindra, Sesa Sterlite, Dr Reddys Lab, Tata Motors and BHEl up 2-3% were the top movers of the hour.
In individual names, Gateway Distriparks surged 8% to Rs 262, extending its previous day’s 5% rally, after its logistics firm said it plans to list its cold chain unit Snowman Logistics.
Bhushan Steel is locked in lower circuit for ninth day in a row, down 5% at Rs 145 on BSE, with no buyers on the counter after the company said that lenders have invoked large number of pledged shares held by them.
The market breadth was positive on BSE. 1,514 stocks advanced while 1,154 stocks declined.
