The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange remained firm in afternoon trade, and stood 242 points, or 1.2 percent in positive territory, at 20,777 a short while ago. Earlier in morning deals, the Sensex had rallied 245 points, or 1.2 percent, to 20,780, on fresh buying by funds, ahead of second quarter GDP growth data. Stock markets in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan were trading mixed.