Mumbai, Feb 28 (PTI): The benchmark BSE Sensex trimmed its initial gains but was quoted still higher by 70 points in late morning trade today on buying in healthcare, metal, capital goods, IT and teck sectors amid persistent capital inflows by foreign funds despite weak Asian cues.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 511.15 crore on Wednesday, as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.

The 30-share index Sensex resumed higher at 20,995.39 points and firmed up further to 21,120.25 on initial strong buying.

However, it declined afterwards to 20,989.66 points before quoting at 21,057.23 at 1100 hours, still showing a gain of 70.24 points, or 0.33 per cent, from its last close.

The NSE 50-share barometer Nifty also firmed up by 15.70 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 6,254.50 at 1100 hours.

Major gainers were Hindalco 3.51 pct, Tata Motors 3.33 pct, Dr Reddy's Lab 2.78 pct, TCS 2.69 pct, Sun Pharma 1.82 pct, Axis Bank 1.76 pct, BHEL 1.57 pct and ONGC 1.06 pct.

Asian stocks edged lower in their early trade weighed by tensions in Ukraine.

Key benchmark indices in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan and South Korea fell by 0.19 to 0.95 per cent.