Sensex back in the green, up 18 pts

After a mixed outing in the first half, the market has rebounded into the green following renewed buying in banking, tech and other select heavyweights, with auto counters continue to trade at lower levels.

The Sensex, as a result, has gained 18 points to 6,851. The Nifty, too, has erased losses on selective buying and is up eight points at 2,111.

SBI has moved up a per cent (Rs 6) to Rs 688. HDFC Bank (up Rs 7 or 1.26% to Rs 590) and ICICI Bank (up Rs 6 or 1.32% to Rs 429) are holding on to their gains.

Infosys is still trading with a per cent gain (Rs 19) at Rs 2,240. Wipro and Satyam are flat at Rs 724 and Rs 474, respectively.

ONGC has trimmed its gains to Rs 923 - up Rs 4. While Reliance is flat at Rs 570, HLL is trading on a lacklustre note at Rs 148.

Bharti is trading firm with a gain of 2.66% (Rs 6) at Rs 228.

Cement majors Gujarat Ambuja and ACC are up with modest gains at Rs 465 and Rs 383, respectively.

Auto stocks are weak. While Hero Honda has declined 1.32% (Rs 7) to Rs 539, Maruti is down 1.44% (Rs 6) at Rs 439. Tata Motors, too, is trading lower at Rs 421.