Markets off day's highs

The markets have remained strong, albeit off their highs, post the budget. The Sensex is now quoting at 16460, higher by 205 points and the Nifty is at 4930, up 70 points. It has been infrastructure, auto and financials all the way. HDIL (appreciated by 8.5% at Rs 318), DLF (stronger by 7.6% at Rs 311) and Unitech (up 4.6% at Rs 73) are the major infrastructure gainers. In the auto space, Tata Motors has strengthened by 6.5% at Rs 712 and M&M has hardened 5.9% at Rs 1016, while Hero Honda and Maruti have strengthened more than 4% each. And in the financials space, ICICI Bank has appreciated by 2.7% at Rs 874 and HDFC Bank is up 2% at Rs 1721). The market breadth is strong. Out of 2830 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1909 advancing stocks as against 844 declines.