<b>Sensex nears 18K,</b> hits new high, up 472pts

The Sensex touched a fresh all-time intra-day high of 17,993 - just seven points shy of the 18,000-mark. The index is now up 472 points at 17,963.

Reliance Energy has zoomed over 9% to Rs 1,507, and Reliance Communications has soared over 6% to Rs 681.

Maruti and Grasim have surged 4.6% each to Rs 1,073 and Rs 3,583, respectively.

Bharti Airtel, Wipro and NTPC have rallied around 4% each to Rs 1,025, Rs 488 and Rs 213, respectively.

Reliance has moved up 3.7% to Rs 2,507. Tata Motors, Larsen & Toubro and Tata Steel have gained over 3% each at Rs 790, Rs 3,121 and Rs 814, respectively.

ACC, SBI and Satyam are the other major gainers.

Cipla is down 1% at Rs 186.

Out of 2,692 stocks traded so far, 1,571 have advanced, 1,051 have declined and 70 are unchanged.