Retaining initial gains in firm trade, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange had rallied 254 points, or 0.9 percent, to 27,969 a short while ago. Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had jumped 92 points, to 8,643. Other major regional markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore were trading mixed. And at the forex market, the rupee had appreciated 16 paise, to 66.76 against the dollar in afternoon trade.