Sensex gains 22 pts in early trades

Firm buying in select old and new economy stocks has seen the index firm up in early trades. The Sensex is now up up 22 points at 6,930, while the Nifty has added nine points to 2,176.

Reliance has added Rs 3 to Rs 596, while HLL is up a rupee at Rs 145. ITC, however, is down Rs 5 at Rs 1,375.

Infosys (up Rs 6 to Rs 2,238) and Wipro (up Rs 5 to Rs 709) have commenced with steady gains. Satyam is up a rupee at Rs 418.

ICICI Bank is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 395. SBI and HDFC Bank are up a tad each at Rs 743 and Rs 615, respectively.

Bharti has jumped 2.22% (Rs 5) to Rs 228 in early trades, while BHEL is up a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 842.

Auto, cement and pharma sectors, too, have registered steady gains in early trades.