The Indian markets have started on a positive note with the Sensex opening 105 points up at 20,275 while the Nifty added 32 points at 6,108.

In the broader markets, the midcap index has opened up 0.7% at 8,272 while the smallcap index started at 10,613, gaining 0.5%. The benchmark index continues to underperform at 0.1%

On the BSE sectoral charts, Oil & Gas, up 0.8% leads the pack followed by Auto and Consumer Durables. However, IT, Teck and FMCG have started their trade in the negative.

The gainers on the Sensex in the opening trades are Sterlite, RIL, Bharti Airtel and Maruti Suzuki up 1% followed by HDFC Bank, DLF and Reliance Infrastructure gaining 0.6% each.

The losers on the Senesex are Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, ITC down 1% each.NTPC, TCS,Wipro and Hindalco shedding 0.5% - 0.8% are the other significant losers.

The market bredath is positive. Of the total 1653 stocks traded, 1102 stocks have advanced while 491 have declined.