Market surges ahead, pharma stocks rise

Healthy trend in heavyweights, banking, auto and fresh buying in pharma stocks has spurred the gains of the index to a new high of 6,761. The Sensex is now up 69 points at 6,756, while the Nifty has advanced 22 points to 2,115.

ONGC, with a traded volume of over 8.4 lakh, has gained 2.94% (Rs 25) to Rs 881. While Reliane, on a volume of over 8.20 lakh, has logged 1.32% gains (Rs 7) to Rs 556, HLL has inched up by 1.53% (Rs 2) to Rs 149.

SBI, with a traded volume of over 9.88 lakh, has firmed up 1.43% (Rs 10) to Rs 716. While ICICI Bank has gained 1.75% (Rs 7) to Rs 396, HDFC Bank is up Rs 2 at Rs 577.

Cipla has advanced 3.21% (Rs 8) to Rs 255. While Ranbaxy has surged 1.91% (Rs 19) to Rs 1,020, Dr. Reddy's is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 727.

Wipro has moved up 2.41% (Rs 16) to Rs 688. Infosys (up Rs 12 to Rs 2,195) and Satyam (up Rs 2 to Rs 399) continue to trade with steady gains.

Bajaj has jumped 2.95% (Rs 31) to Rs 1,075. While Hero Honda has added 1.21% (Rs 7) to Rs 557, Maruti is up 1.55% (Rs 7) at Rs 470. Tata Motors has gained 2.64% (Rs 12) to Rs 476.

PSU bank stocks have notched up significant gains. Dena Bank has zoomed 9.30% (Rs 3) to Rs 35, while Bank of Maharashtra has flared up 6.65% (Rs 2) to Rs 38. Uco Bank, Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank, BoB and Bank of India are up in a range of 2-4%.

Mid-Day Multimedia has vaulted 12.14% (Rs 10) to Rs 90, and Crompton Greaves has soared 7.71% (Rs 30) to Rs 422.