Benchmark indices started off trade marginally higher, following positive trend in Asian stocks. Investors digested final outcome of Karnataka election. The Sensex was up 78.21 points at 34,926.51 and the Nifty gained 13.50 points at 10,609.90. SBI gained 1.5 percent after Bhushan Steel-Tata Steel deal. ICICI Bank was up 1 percent. UltraTech Cement was up 1.6 percent and Century Textiles fell 8 percent after cement business deal. HPCL, TCS, Hindalco Industries, Coal India, Grasim Industries Indiabulls Housing Finance, Bajaj Finance, Maruti, Infosys, Axis Bank, Wipro, ITC, Hero Motocorp and Sun Pharma were under pressure. The Nifty Midcap index was down 55 points. Kitex Garments plunged 16 percent post disappointing earnings. Amara Raja Batteries, Capcite Infra, Balaji Telefilms, Future Lifestyle, Thermax, Ashok Leyland, Strides Shasun, Crompton Consumer and Inox Wind fell up to 5 percent.

Best Stock Tips Today : 21st May (Monday)