Consumer goods stocks in demand

MUMBAI: The Indian equities market opened in green on Thursday mirroring strong Asian markets which were running higher. Realty and consumer goods stocks were in demand in the initial trade. 

The 30-share benchmark sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange opened with a gain of 127.66 points at 16,796.26. Ten minutes into trade, the Sensex was trading at 16,785.25 with a gain of 87.21 points or 0.52 percent.

At the same time, S&P Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading at 5,052.75 with a gain of 29.95 points or 0.60 percent.

The market breadth was positive. On BSE, 1,042 scrips advanced, 248 declined and 18 remained unchanged.

Jaiprakash Associates, Bharti Aitel, Grasim Industries were the gainers while Tata Steel, Hindalco and ACC Ltd were the losers at initial trade.

Asian markets were trading higher. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.38 percent or 51.71 points at 13,630.87. Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged 2.06 percent or 521.49 points at 25,810.73. Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted rose 0.48 percent or 42.81 points at 9,051.30. Singapore's Straits Times was up 1.18 percent or 37.61 points at 3,231.45. South Korea's Seoul Composite added 0.43 percent or 7.70 points at 1,808.49.