Asian share markets got off to a positive start on Thursday after data showed Japan’s economy accelerated in the first three months of the year, in contrast to an enduring recession in the euro zone which was keeping the euro in the doldrums.

The dollar moved away from a fresh 4-1/2 year high against the yen hit in the previous session after disappointing U.S. industrial data caused U.S. Treasury prices to rise for the first time in a week, while the euro wobbled near a six-week low.

Brent crude oil prices rose by more than $1 on Wednesday, reversing early losses to settle above $103 a barrel and increasing its premium over U.S. crude to the largest in 13 sessions. U.S. Treasuries were firm in Asia on Thursday after soft manufacturing and subdued inflation figures pulled the benchmark yield off its two-month high in the previous session.

    LOCAL MARKETS PREVIOUS CLOSE
* BSE index 20,212.96 (+2.49 pct)
* NSE index 6,146.75 (+2.52 pct)
* Rupee 54.78/79 per dollar (54.81/82)
* 10-year bond yield 7.46 pct (7.47 pct)
* 5-year OIS rate 6.75 pct (6.72 pct)
* 1-year OIS rate 7.10 pct (7.09 pct)
* Call money 7.25/7.35 pct (7.25/7.35 pct)

The Sensex is up 57.68 points at 20270.64, and the Nifty up 24.80 points  at 6171.55.  About 969 shares have advanced, 500 shares declined, and 70 shares are unchanged.

Key equity benchmarks extended their rally today and surged another 0.5 percent in the opening bell. The Nifty is now trading at highest levels since November 2010. The Nifty is now 160 points away from its all-time high of 6335.

At 10.00 hrs IST, the Sensex is up 88.31 points or 0.44% at 20301.27, and the Nifty up 32.65 points or 0.53% at 6179.40. About 802 shares have advanced, 495 shares declined, and 66 shares are unchanged.

Key gainers in the Sensex were Dr Reddys Labs (Rs 2,127.00, 3.02%), ICICI Bank  (Rs 1,213.00, 1.79%), SBI (Rs 2,424.40, 1.67%), Larsen (Rs 1,602.20, 1.38%) and Cipla (Rs 416.50, 1.23%)

Laggards included (TCS Rs 1,452.05, 1.17%), Infosys (Rs 2,341.60, 0.79%), Tata Motors (Rs 306.45, 0.63%), ITC (Rs 340.95, 0.5% and Wipro (Rs 344.40, 0.49%)