Sensex up over 200pts at opening bell

Markets opened in the green this morning on strong cues from Asian peers. The Sensex opened at 17,654. Thereafter, the index surged to a high of 17,809 and is now up 217 points at 17,788.

The Nifty is up 61 points at 5,323.

The Asian markets are trading with gains. Hang Seng is quoting at 20,649, stronger by 363 points or 1.7% and Nikkei is at 10,148, higher by 153 points or 1.5%.

The BSE metal index has jumped 2.8% to 15,236. Realty, auto and banking spaces are also in the green.

Sterlite has surged 5% to Rs 178. Hindalco and Tata Steel have gained 3% each at Rs 149 and Rs 488, respectively. Jindal Steel is up 1.5% at Rs 680.

Jaiprakash Associates and ICICI Bank have added 2% each to Rs 131 and Rs 884, respectively.

DLF and HDFC are up 2% each. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors are the auto gainers and are up 1.8% each.

Larsen & Toubro, Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Communications, Tata Power and BHEL are the other top gainers in the market today.