Sensex firm in early trades

The Sensex opened on a flat note at 17,639 and is now firm at 17,711, up 70 points. The NSE Nifty is now at 5,299, up 17 points.

Among the Sensex-30 stocks, Mahindra & Mahindra has added 2% to Rs 548. Hindalco, HDFC, Hero Honda and Tata Motors have added over 1% each to Rs 181, Rs 2,645, Rs 2,032 and Rs 757, respectively.

Infosys and ICICI Bank are down 0.5% each at Rs 2,756 and Rs 942, respectively.