Sensex ends up 201pts

The markets have again firmed up in what is turning out into a fairly choppy afternoon session. With the Asian markets having a lacklustre session and the European markets opening soft, our domestic markets seem to be attempting to find their feet. The Sensex is now quoting at 16654, higher by 82 points or 0.4% and the Nifty is at 4995, up 25 points. The midcap sector is quoting at 6759, higher by 0.2%, and the smallcap sector is at 8496, up 0.4% Reliance Communicatons has extended its gains and has now soared 10% at Rs 153. ONGC has strengthened 3.6% at Rs 1185 and Bharti Airtel has added 3.5% at Rs 266. Reliance Infra, Hero Honda and L&T are the other significant gainers. And RIL is trading flat at Rs 1011. On the losers side, Tata Power has weakened by 2.2% at Rs 1231, Hindalco has shed 1.5% at Rs 141 and Jindal Steel has lost 1.4% at Rs 623. The market breadth is positive. Out of 2823 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1500 advancing stocks as againt 1210 declines.