Firm opening, Sensex up 38 pts

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of nine points over its yesterday's close at 6,561. Impressive gains in old and new economy stocks lifted the index to an early high of 6,591. It is now up 38 points at 6,590. The Nifty has gained eight points to 2,068.

Reliance is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 546. While ITC is up a tad at Rs 1,350, HLL is down Rs 2 at Rs 166.

Infosys has advanced 1.77% (Rs 36) to Rs 2,100. While Satyam has commenced with a per cent gain (Rs 3) at Rs 411, Wipro has added 1.15% (Rs 8) to Rs 703.

SBI has added 1.53% (Rs 10) to Rs 644. BHEL has added 1.25% (Rs 9) to Rs 767, and Hindalco is up 1.17% (Rs 16) at Rs 1,347. Tata Power has moved up 2.57% (Rs 10) to Rs 389, while Tisco is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 385. Bharti, however, has lost nearly 2% (Rs 4) to Rs 218.

Cipla has dropped nearly 3% (Rs 8) to Rs 275, and Ranbaxy is down Rs 6 at Rs 1,065. Dr. Reddy's, however, is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 714.