Sensex jumps 36 pts on heavyweight gains

Strong renewed buying in select heavyweights, tech and other old economy counters has seen the index shrug off its early subdued trend.

The Sensex, which clocked a high 6,704, is now up 36 points at 6,700. The Nifty, too, has bounced back into the green to 2,081 - up nine points.

Heavyweights have contributed to the gains of the index. Reliance has gained 1.43% (Rs 8) to Rs 534. While ITC has jumped 1.67% (Rs 26) to Rs 1,584, ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 916. HLL, however, has inched lower by 1.18% (Rs 2) to Rs 143, after a strong upsurge yesterday.

Among IT stocks Infosys is up a per cent (Rs 12) at Rs 2,240. While Wipro has moved up 1.29% (Rs 9) to Rs 715, Satyam has added 1.26% (Rs 6) to Rs 449.

Reliance Energy has flared up 3.78% (Rs 19) to Rs 519 on reports of its proposed thermal power plant set up at Orissa. L&T has tumbled 1.87% (Rs 20) to Rs 1,040.

Banking stocks are exhibiting steady buying trend. SBI (up Rs 3 to Rs 665) and ICICI Bank (up Rs 2 to Rs 391) are trading with steady gains. HDFC Bank, however, is down Rs 2 at Rs 538.

Cement major ACC is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 378, while Grasim and Gujarat Ambuja are marginally up at Rs 1,132 and Rs 450, respectively.

Hero Honda has scaled down 2% (Rs 12) to Rs 557. Bajaj (down Rs 3 to Rs 1,227) has erased most its early losses. Tata Motors, however, is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 437.