<b>Policy Impact:</b> Sensex up 181pts; M&amp;M down 3%

The Sensex is now up 181 points at 15,442.

HDFC and Larsen & Toubro have soared nearly 4.5% each to Rs 1,995 and Rs 2,553, respectively. Ranbaxy has surged 3.5% to Rs 390.

ACC, ITC, Bajaj Auto and BHEL have rallied 3% each to Rs 1,055, Rs 172, Rs 2,362 and Rs 1,693, respectively.

Reliance Communications, Hindalco and HDFC Bank are up over 2% each at Rs 553, Rs 170 and Rs 1,184, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has plunged 3.5% to Rs 727. Maruti has shed 1.6% to Rs 834, and Tata Motors has slipped over 1% to Rs 699.

Out of 2,620 stocks traded so far, 1,609 have advanced, 924 have declined and 87 are unchanged.