Markets shed early gains

The markets have given up their early-morning gains are are now trading flat, just below the dotted line. The Sensex is quoting at 17,224, lower by 11 points and the Nifty is at 5,113, lower by 4 points.

The leading gainers on the Sensex are NTPC (stronger by Rs 4 or 2% at Rs 218), Tata Steel (higher by Rs 8 or 1.4% at Rs 579) and BHEL (up Rs 33 or 1.3% at Rs 2,532). Sterlite, State Bank of India and DLF have gained between 1% and 2% each.

The Sensex losers are Sun Pharma (weaker by Rs 53 or 3% at Rs 1,355), Infosys (lower by Rs 52 or 2.3% at Rs 2,203) and ITC (down Rs 5 or 2% at Rs 252.

Suzlon, Jindal Steel and Sail were the top three gainers on the NSE, gaining 4%, 3% and 2.6% to Rs 89, Rs 690 and Rs 184 respectively.

The markets breadth is strong. Out of 2,418 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,321 advancing stocks as against 1,001 declining stocks.