The Sensex is exhibiting firmness and is now at 17,708, up 149 points. The NSE Nifty is at 5,280, up 48 points.
The Midcap and the small cap indices have added 1% each at 6,905 and 8,589, respectively.
Among the sectoral indices, the metal index has soared 3% to 18,226.
Hindalco has soared 5% to Rs 171. Jaiprakash Associates has advanced 3% to Rs 159. Grasim Industries, Sterlite, Tata Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra and DLF has added 2% each at Rs 2,608, Rs 894, Rs 648, Rs 1,152 and Rs 372, respectively.
Reliance Communications, Tata Power, HDFC and ICICI Bank were the other prominent gainers, up 1% each.
The market breadth is positive, out of 2,646 shares traded, 1,938 have advanced and 628 have declined so far on the BSE.
