<b>Policy Impact:</b> Sensex up 296pts; L&amp;T soars 6%

The Sensex is now up 296 points at 15,557.

Larsen & Toubro has soared 5.8% to Rs 2,588. HDFC has zoomed 5.5% to Rs 2,014. BHEL has surged over 5% to Rs 1,728.

ACC, Ranbaxy and HDFC Bank have rallied around 3.5% each to Rs 1,059, Rs 390 and Rs 1,199, respectively.

Reliance Communications has gained 3.3% at Rs 558. SBI and Bajaj Auto are up nearly 3% each at Rs 1,624 and Rs 2,358, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has plunged 3.5% to Rs 725. Maruti has slipped nearly 2% to Rs 832.

Hindustan Unilever and Tata Motors are down 1% each at Rs 206 and Rs 700, respectively.

Out of 2,686 stocks traded so far, 1,664 have advanced, 968 have declined and 54 are unchanged.