Stock markets surged across Asia, today. At home, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange opened strong, and after gaining further ground, had spurted 457 points, to 25,603 in afternoon trade. In early deals, the Sensex had jumped 372 points. Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had posted a strong gain of 138 points, to 7,847 in afternoon trade. Stocks rose after positive domestic economic data, and amid rising regional bourses. Other key Asian markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore had posted robust gains of between 1.7 percent and 2.8 percent, after surprisingly upbeat Chinese trade data offered hope that China's economy was finally stabilizing. And at the forex market, the rupee trimmed its initial gains, but was still trading 5 paise stronger, at 66.38 against the dollar in late morning deals.