The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange stood 27 points, or 0.2 percent in positive territory, at 18,656 in afternoon trade, amid volatility, a short while ago. Earlier in the morning, the Sensex had opened with a slim gain of 13 points, or 0.1 percent, at 18,642, amid firm regional bourses.Stock markets in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and Singapore had gained between 0.2 percent and 2.8 percent, today, after assurances from China's central bank to provide funds to institutions if needed.The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.7 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.