Sensex up 83pts in opening trades

Markets today have opened in green, ignoring cues from global markets. The Sensex opened at 16,607 - up 37 points. The index thereafter surged to a high of 16,678 and is now up 57 points at 16,629.

The Nifty is up 16 points at 4,986.

The US markets ended in the red, amid volatile trading activity. Energy shares slid after the latest failed attempt to halt the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico . The Dow ended at 10024, weaker by 112 points or 1.1%,  Nasdaq ended at 2222, lower by 34 points or 1.5% and S&P shut shop at 1070, down 18 points or 1.7%.

Asian markets too are in red. Hang Seng is quoting at 19,589, stronger by 92 points or 0.5% and the Nikkei has opened at 9,748, higher by 36 points or 0.37%.

All sectoral indices are in green. The auto index has jumped 1.2% to 7,691. Consumer durables, realty and healthcare indices ahev also mopved up aroudn 1% each.

Reliance Communications has gained 3.4% at Rs 144.

Auto stocks are shining. Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra have added 1.8% each to Rs 576 and Rs 1,283, respectively.Tata Motors has jumped 1.7% to Rs 737. Hero Honda is up 1% at Rs 1937.

Jaiprakash Associates has added 1.5% to Rs 119. ACC has moved up 1.3% to Rs 830.

ONGC, Reliance Infrastructure and Sterlite are the other big gainers in the market today.

However, Tata Power has slipped 1.2% to Rs 1,244. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are marginally in red at Rs 1,849 and Rs 835, respectively.