Heavyweights steer rally

Stocks Report

 The NSE S&P CNX Nifty index also gained 43.85 points to close at 1,372.05.

 Heavyweights Infosys Technologies, Reliance Industries, ITC, Hindustan Lever and State Bank of India contributed to the strength of the market.

 Infosys Technologies was up 4.79 per cent to close at Rs 4,521.40. More than 4.50 lakh Infosys shares were traded on BSE today.

 ITC was up 3.62 per cent to close at Rs 820.90, Reliance Industries was up 3.41 per cent to close at Rs 428.10, Hindustan Lever was up 1.71 per cent to close at Rs 184.20 and State Bank of India was up 1.13 per cent to close at Rs 422.05.

 Overnight gains in the US markets pushed up the tech stocks, while old economy blue chips rose on short covering of positions in the derivatives segment.

 Stocks of public sector undertakings (PSUs) also attracted renewed buying interest.

 BHEL was up 3.89 per cent to close at Rs 396.60, HPCL was up 3.23 per cent to close at Rs 356.60 and MTNL was up 0.71 per cent to close at Rs 113.85.

 Satyam Computer closed at Rs 252.90, up 4.22 per cent over its previous close. HCL Tech was up 4.02 per cent to close at Rs 164.65.

 ACC was up 4.18 per cent to close at Rs 198.15, Grasim was up 4.10 per cent to close at Rs 628.30, L&T was up 4.05 per cent to close at Rs 308.25 and Gujarat Ambuja Cements was up 2.13 per cent to close at Rs 222.45.

 Pivotals Bajaj Auto was up 4.07 per cent to close at Rs 763.10, Hero Honda Motor was up 3.74 per cent to close at Rs 297.85 and Tata Motors was up 1.31 per cent to close at Rs 294.95.