Sensex holding on to morning gains

A key index for Indian equities Monday was holding on to morning gains even as cues from Asian markets were quiet. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,577.66 points, was ruling at 17,661.99 points, 87.46 points or 0.5 percent up from its previous close at 17,574.53 points. The Sensex had climbed over 126 points in morning trade to 17,701.21 points. At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,296.35 points, up 0.52 percent from its previous close at 5,269.05 points. Broader markets indices too were in the green with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.59 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index 0.95 percent up. Oil and consumer durables stocks saw good buying.