The domestic stock markets have been strong, so far today. After a firm opening, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained considerably more ground, and had spurted a good 316 points, or 1.1 percent, to 28,218 a short while ago. Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had surged 98 points, to 8,705. Stocks rose across the board, on heavy buying by investors, with IT and auto sectors leading the rally. Other key Asian bourses in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore had gained between 0.1 percent and 0.8 percent. And at the forex market, the rupee had appreciated 8 paise, to 67.09 against the dollar in afternoon trade.