<b>Buying continues...</b> Sensex up 708pts

The Sensex is now up 708 points at 18,322.

BHEL has zoomed 10.5% to Rs 2,274. Reliance Energy and HDFC Bank have soared over 7.5% each to Rs 1,477 and Rs 1,475, respectively.

Larsen & Toubro has surged 6.6% to Rs 3,303. NTPC has rallied over 6% to Rs 212.

Bharti Airtel has gained 5.8% at Rs 981. Reliance has moved up 5.3% to Rs 2,541, and Cipla has added 5% to Rs 189.

ACC, Tata Steel and SBI have advanced 4% each to Rs 1,060, Rs 871 and Rs 1,780, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Communications, Tata Motors and Hindalco are up around 3.5% each at Rs 214, Rs 746, Rs 799 and Rs 184, respectively.

HDFC has slipped over 2% to Rs 2,517.

Out of 2,732 stocks traded so far, 2,072 have advanced, 597 have declined and 63 are unchanged.