Sensex cracks 8,500

The Sensex created history by crossing the 8,500-mark today.

The index opened with a negative gap of 32 points at 8,413, and dipped to a low of 8,376 in morning deals. Then the mood turned, and there was no looking back....

The index zoomed past the 8,500-mark to touch a historic high of 8,515 - an intra-day rally of 139 points. The Sensex finally closed on a bullish note at 8,500 - a gain of 55 points (0.665).

Infosys gained 2% (Rs 49) to Rs 2,497. While Satyam was up 2.6% (Rs 14) at Rs 555, TCS added Rs 17 to Rs 1,471.

Reliance moved up 2% (Rs 14) to Rs 778. ONGC was up Rs 9 at Rs 1,030. ITC declined Rs 10 to Rs 1,929, and HLL was down Rs 2 at Rs 175.

ICICI Bank advanced 4% (Rs 22) to Rs 578. HDFC Bank added 3% (Rs 20) to Rs 730.

L&T added 1.6% (Rs 22) to Rs 1,403. BHEL gained Rs 16 to Rs 1,128.

HDFC dropped Rs 23 to Rs 1,029. Tata Steel, Wipro, ACC, Grasim, Bajaj and Bharti also declined.