Sensex ends up 55 pts

Sensex ends (provisional) at 20,100 - up 55 points. Nifty ends up 12 points at 6,031.
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(Updated at 1503 hrs)

Markets have pared gains as heavyweight, Reliance Industries, slipped in trades.

The Nifty opened at 6,018 and touched its highest in 32-months at 6,074. However, in noon trades, investors took to profit booking and the NSE benchmark index dropped to a low of 6,018. The index is now up 23 points at 6,041.

Sensex is up 96 points at 20,141.

European equities edged higher, extending the previous session's sharp gains, with food and beverages shares gaining. Asian markets were also in green.

Reliance dropped from its intra-day high of Rs 1,020 to Rs 1,009.

Metal stocks rose as metal prices climbed on the London Metal Index. Hindalco surged 3% to Rs 197. Tata Steel and Sterlite jumped 2.5% each to Rs 645 and Rs 177, respectively.

ABB has jumped 3% to Rs 907. NTPC has gained 2.5% at Rs 215. Unitech, Cipla, SBI and Sun Pharma have added 1-2% each.

Meanwhile, Hindustan Unilever has dropped 1.8% to Rs 309. HDFC Bank has slipped 1.8% to Rs 2,450. Suzlon. Ambuja Cements and HCL Tech are down around 1% each.