Market opens strong, ONGC firm

The Sensex opened 14 points higher over its yesterday's close at 6,588. Strong early buying support in most of the counters lifted the index above the 6,600 mark to an early high of 6,623. The Sensex is now up 33 points at 6,607. The Nifty has added 15 points to 2,070.

ONGC has opened firm with a spurt of 2.69% (Rs 22) to Rs 839.

Reliance is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 563. HLL is up a tad at Rs 143, while ITC has slipped by Rs 3 to Rs 1,294.

Infosys has commenced in the green at Rs 2,179 - up Rs 16. Satyam at Rs 400 (up Rs 3) and Wipro (up Rs 6 to Rs 684) have logged gains in early trades.

HDFC Bank at Rs 579 (up Rs 3) have resumed with steady gains. ICICI Bank is up Rs 2 at Rs 371. While HDFC Bank has slipped a per cent (Rs 6) to Rs 570, SBI, after a steady opening, is down Rs 2 at Rs 689.

ACC is up a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 362. Other cement stocks have also scaled up.

HPCL, after reporting gains yesterday, has slipped a per cent (Rs 3) to Rs 344.

Auto and pharma majors, too, have registered gains in early trades.