<b>Nearing 20K:</b> Sensex up 674pts; ONGC soars 7%

The Sensex is now up 674 points at 19,917.

Larsen & Toubro has zoomed nearly 9% to Rs 4,221. BHEL and ONGC have soared 7.5% each to Rs 2,615 and Rs 1,242, respectively.

HDFC has surged 6% to Rs 2,718. HDFC Bank has rallied 5.5% to Rs 1,630.

Reliance has gained 5% at Rs 2,826. Reliance Energy and ICICI Bank have moved up 3% each to Rs 1,719 and Rs 1,219, respectively.

SBI, NTPC and Grasum have advanced nearly 2.5% each to Rs 2,135, Rs 234 and Rs 820, respectively.

Tata Steel has plunged over 9% to Rs 900.

Out of 2,800 stocks traded so far, 1,576 have advanced, 1,143 have declined and 81 are unchanged.