Prominent gainers on the Sensex at this time were Reliance Communications, up 3.23 percent at Rs.284.55; Maruti Suzuki, up 2.97 percent at Rs.1,455.20; M&M, up 2.3 percent at Rs.876.50; and Hindalco, up 2.25 percent at Rs.102.45.

Among losers on the 30-scrip Sensex were Hindustan Unilever, down 2.35 percent at Rs.284.35; HDFC Bank, down 1.54 percent at Rs.1,476.50; HDFC, down 1.5 percent at Rs.2,493, and Jaiprakash Associates, down 1.22 percent at Rs.237.90.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed marginally lower at 10,352.47 points, down 4.36 points.

However, the Hang Seng, the primary index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling in the green at 20,701.59 points, up 128.26 points.