Metal shares maintained their firm undertone on the market in late session on Wednesday. At 2.40 pm Sesa Sterlite emerged the top gainer on the BSE, quoting at Rs 199.50. This represented a gain of 2.81 per cent on its overnight close at Rs 194.05.

State Bank of India made rapid strides during the latter half of the session to notch up gains of 2.77 per cent. It was quoting at Rs 304.10 as against Rs 295.90 at close yesterday.

ONGC also flared up to hold gains of 2.47 per cent at Rs 343.80. The share had ended the overnight session at Rs 335.50.

Tata Steel edged down a tad from its morning levels to trade at Rs 393.60. This was a gain of 1.08 per cent on its previous close at Rs 389.40.

Hindalco Industries was the other metal stock among the top gainers on the BSE. It was quoting at Rs 146.10, up 0.97 per cent on its overnight close at Rs 144.70.

The market had recovered some of its morning losses in late trading. The Sensex had trimmed its losses to 50 points in late session, while the Nifty was down 15 points.