Markets end the session on a strong note

Key benchmark indices witnessed strong trades throughout the day and ended the session on a firm note.

The BSE Sensex ended (provisional) at 17,820, up 233 points and the Nifty at 5,434, up 74 points.

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(updated at 1426 hours)

The markets continued to witness firm trades in afternoon deals with the BSE Sensex at 17,816, up 228 points and the Nifty at 5,435, up 76 points.

Earlier in the day, the BSE benchmark index touched the day's high at 17,832 and the day's low at 17,680.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei share average eked out modest gains on Tuesday despite giving up an earlier increase to above the key 10,000 mark after the Bank of Japan held off on easing monetary policy following a two-day policy meeting. The index ended marginally higher by 0.09% at 9,899. The Shanghai Composite index ended marginally lower by 0.19% while the Hang Seng index ended higher by 0.97%.

European markets are higher today with shares in Germany leading the region, on hopes that German and US data will support rising hopes of an economic recovery ahead of a monetary policy statement by the Federal Reserve. The DAX is up 0.76% while France's CAC 40 is up 0.61% and London's FTSE 100 is up 0.45%.

Back home, buying is visible is across all boards. BSE Metal, Oil & Gas, Realty and Capital Goods indices, up 1-3% each, are leading the gains.

On the Sensex, Sterlite Industries has advanced 5% at Rs 121 and is the top gainer. Other prominent gainers include Jindal Steel, Gas Authority of India (GAIL), Hindalco Industries and Tata Steel, up 3-5% each. GAIL is trading higher by 3% at Rs 365 on reports that the company plans to commission liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Dabhol in Maharashtra in the first week of April. “Dabhol LNG terminal will be commissioned on the first week of April with the first cargo of spot liquefied natural gas expected to arrive at the Maharashtra port on March 27,” the report suggests quoting Gail India chairman BC Tripathi.

Wipro is top loser from the pack, down 1% at Rs 433. The company said the Azim Premji Foundation, a trust controlled by the company’s promoter plans to sell up to 35 million shares, representing 1.4% stake of the company through an auction route. “The auction will take place on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 between 9:15 am and 1:30 pm,” the company said in a filing to the stock exchanges.

Mahindra & Mahindra has shed 1% at Rs 657. Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and Tata Motors, down marginally, are the other losers from among the Sensex 30 stocks.

The overall market breadth is positive as 1,662 stocks have advanced against 1,144 declining ones, on the BSE.