The market breadth was positive, with 1,641 stocks rising compared to 580 declining. Sixty-seven remained unchanged.

Among prominent gainers on the Sensex at this time were Hindalco, up 4.96 percent at Rs.77.25; Jaiprakash Associates, up 4.68 percent at Rs.200.25; Tata Steel, up 4.16 percent at Rs.373.10; and Hero Honda, up 3.8 percent at Rs.1,455.

Losers included Infosys, down 1.68 percent at Rs.1,775.95; Hindustan Unilever, down 1.41 percent at Rs.265.60; ITC, down 0.05 percent at Rs.210.50 and Maruti Suzuki, down 0.9 percent at Rs.1,078.50.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed flat Wednesday at 9,269.25 points, up 7.4 points.

The Hang Seng, the primary index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling at 18,145.18 points, up 259.45.