Sensex ends up 292 pts

Sensex has ended (provisional) at 17,863 - up 292 points.

The Nifty has ended (provisional) at 5,346 - up 84 points.
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(Updated at 1502 hrs)

Heavyweights buoyed the markets further in afternoon trades. The Sensex touched a high of 17,919 -  up 348 points from the previous close. However, the index has pared some of its gains and is now up 324 points at 17,894.

Earlier in the day, the Sensex had opened at 17,655 on positive cues from Asian markets. The Nifty, too, gained to a high of 5,367 and is now up 99 points at 5,361.

BSE metal index has been in the limelight since morning. The index has rallied 5% to 15,599. The realty, bankex and auto indices have gained 2% each.

ICICI Bank has contributed the most to the Sensex's upmove. The stock is now up 3.7% at Rs 899. Reliance has added 1% to Rs 1,067. Larsen & Toubro has added 2% to Rs 1,836.

The biggest star in the market today seems to be Sterlite. The stock has soared 7.5% to Rs 182. Tata Steel has rallied 6% to Rs 504. Hindalco has gained 5.7 to Rs 154.

Tata Power is up 3.6% at Rs 1,315. Jaiprakash Associates has jumped 3.5% to Rs 133.

DLF, Mahindra & Mahindra and Jindal Steel have added over 2% each. Other big gainers include HDFC, ACC, Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Infrastructure.

The BSE market breadth is fairly positive. Out of 2,956 stocks traded, 1,870 have advanced while 980 have declined.