Firm Day: Sensex up 699pts; Hindalco soars 9%

The Sensex is now up 699 points to 17,648.

The NSE Nifty has gained 217 points to 5,147.

BHEL has zoomed 10.5% to Rs 2,190, and Hindalco has soared over 9% to Rs 164.

Reliance Energy and surged 8.3% to Rs 1,688, and Reliance Communications has rallied 7.5% to Rs 600.

DLF has moved up nearly 7% to Rs 870. Larsen & Toubro has advanced 5.8% to Rs 3,466, and ICICI Bank has added 5.5% to Rs 1,160.

ONGC, HDFC and Reliance have gained around 5% each at Rs 992, Rs 1,541 and Rs 2,503, respectively.

NTPC and Hindustan Unilever are up 4.7% each at Rs 197 and Rs 202, respectively.

Out of 2,702 stocks traded so far, 1,818 have advanced, 832 have declined and 52 are unchanged.