Sensex gains in early trades

Markets opened in the green on the back of strong cues from Asian peers. The Sensex opened at 17,577. The index, thereafter, surged to a high of 17,682 - up 107 points. The Sensex is now up 87 points at 17,661.

The Nifty is up 32 points at 5,301.

Among Asian indices, Hang Seng has gained 102 points at 20,793. Taiwan Weighted is at 7,519, higher by 44 points. However, Nikkei has inched lower by 32 points or 0.3% at 9,705.

Most of the sectoral indices are in green. The BSE oil & gas index continues to gain from the fuel price hike. The index is up 1% at 10,723. PSU, consumer durables and capital goods are also up in trades.

Reliance Communications has surged 5% to Rs 202. ONGC has gained 2.7% at Rs 1,299.

Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Infrastrcuture have added 1% each to Rs 1,782 and Rs 1,180, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever, Hindalco, Wipro and Bharti Airtel have advanced around 1% each. Other gainers include Tata Steel, Tata Motors and Jaiprakash Associates.

However, ACC is soft in early trades. The stock is down 0.7% at Rs 855.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Jindal Steel and Maruti are also in red.