Following gains in Asian markets, the key benchmark indices trended higher today. The benchmark Sensex was up 141 points at 15,301 levels and the Nifty was at 4,523, up 42 points.

Realty, metal, banking and auto stocks advanced in early trade. The realty index on the BSE gained 2.5 per cent and the metal index rose 2.3 per cent. The BSE banking index was up 1.7 per cent.

Among the Sensex stocks, Sterlite Industries led the gainers. The stock advanced 2.8 per cent. Hindalco, DLF and JP Associates were the other main gainers in the pack, up more than 2.4 per cent each.

Most Asian stock indices surged today. Hong Kongs Hang Seng rose over 2 per cent and Japans Nikkei rose was up 1.2 per cent. Chinas Shanghai Composite, however, was trading in the negative zone.