Sensex crosses 6,700 mark

Sensex opened with a gap of 25 points and spiked ahead by 57 points to 6728, after an hour of the trading session. The Nifty has surged up to 2,086.

ITC touched its life time high of Rs 1,557, up 1.67% or Rs 25 from the previous close as investors eagerly await the company's results which is to be announced later this day.

Infosys firmed up with a strong gain of 2% to Rs 2,240 and clocked a huge volume of 1,30,947. Satyam and Wipro climbed up 2% each to Rs 457 and Rs 728 respectively. The IT ADRs witnessed a strong rally on the US markets yesterday.

Bhel to advanced 1.6% further to Rs 925. The government said yesterday that Bhel's shares would be split before divestment of 10% government stake in a bid to attract greater retail participation.

Auto stocks are taking a beating with Hero Honda having suffered a 3%loss at Rs 575 and Bajaj Auto moving slightly into red at Rs 1,230. However Maruti and Tata Motors have managed to hold on its gains at Rs 467 and Rs 450, with no frenzied selling witnessed in the counter

Ranbaxy has clocked over 3% gains at Rs 1,101 while Cipla is trading in the positive zone with a small gain at Rs 286.

HLL too marched up 4% (up Rs 5) to Rs 136 and ITC added a per cent (up Rs 20) to Rs 1,551.

Banking stocks are trading flat with no sudden movements in the counter. ICICI Bank and SBI are currently at Rs 399 and Rs 683 after a weak opening.