Indian equities markets started on a positive note Monday, tracking strong markets elsewhere in Asia. The 30-share benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, opened with a gain of 175.89 points at 16,591.46. Ten minutes into trading, it dropped to 16,533.10, but still with a gain of 117.53 or 0.72 percent from its closing figure Friday.

At the same time the S&P Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange was trading at 4,889.65 with a gain of 19.55 points or 0.40 percent compared to its previous close.

The market breadth was positive. On BSE 1,021 shares advanced, 578 declined and 33 remained unchanged.

Satyam Computers, Maruti Suzuki and Jaiprakash Associates were among the early gainers while NTPC, Mahindra and Mahindra and HDFC Bank were among the losers in initial trade.