At the stock markets, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange opened higher, and after gaining considerably more ground, had spurted 342 points, to 25,243 in afternoon trade. In early deals, the Sensex had advanced 217 points. Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had surged 111 points, to 7,708 . Most other key Asian markets also rose, after the US Federal Reserve Chairperson, Janet Yellen emphasised the need to proceed cautiously on tightening US monetary policy. So the bourses in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore had gained between 0.4 percent and 2.8 percent. And at the forex market, the rupee had appreciated 16 paise, to 66.38 against the dollar in early trade.