The markets have traded higher and has set a new intra-day high.The Sensex has touched a high of 18,541 and is hovering around the same. The Nifty is at 5,569 up 89 points. In the broader markets, the smallcap is in line with the broader markets at 1.6% and the midcap index is at 1.3%.

Among the sectoral indices, Metal index extending gains at 3% continues to lkead followed by Oil & Gas at 2%, Realty at 1.7% and IT at 1.6%. The least gainers on the Sensex are FMCG and Consumer Durables at 0.7% and 0.6% respectively. Earlier losers, PSU and Capital Goods have extended gains and is up 1% each.

The gainers on the Sensex are Tata Steel (Rs 574) up 6%, Hindalco (Rs 179) adding 5%, Sterlite, ICICI Bank, Jaiprakash Associates and RIL adding 3% each.

The losers on the Sensex are Hero Honda(Rs 1704) extending losses at 2% and Reliance Communication (Rs 162) losing 0.5%.

The market breadth is positive. 2144 stocks have advanced while 780 have declined.