Broader markets gain strength

The markets continue to trade in the red with the Sensex down 26 points at 19,420 and the Nifty is down 13 points at 5,820. On the other hand, the broadermarekts continue to trade in the positve. Smallcap index has advanced and is up 1% while the midcap index gained 0.8%.
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(Updated at 1034)

After opening with marginal gains, the Sensex has slipped into the negative and is currently trading flat at 19,445 while the Nifty is down six points at 5,827. However in the broader markets, the smallcap index is up 0.8% and the midcap index has added 0.6% outperforming the BSE benchmark index which is flat.

On the BSE sectoral chart, Realty up 1% is the top gainer in the morning trades folowed by Metal, Power and Capital Goods gaining 0.5% - 0.8%. However, bankex is down 1% followe by IT and PSU index shedding 0.1% - 0.3%.

Among the Sensex- 30 stocks,Reliance Communications,Reliance Infrastructure, BHEL, Hero Honda, Hindalco, Tata Steel and ONGC adding 1-3% are the top gainers in the morning trades.

On the losers list are Wipro,ICICI Bank,SBI and NTPC down 1% each followed by Tata Power, Bharti Airtel and HDFC Bank shedding 0.4% - 0.7%.

The market breadth is very positive.Of the total 2331 stocks traded on the BSE, 1512  stocks have advanced while 735  have declined.