Sensex opens firm

The Sensex opened firm with a gain of 28 points at 6,471. Steep rally in most of the counters saw the index breach the 6,500-mark to touch an early high of 6,503. It is now up 58 points at 6,501. The Nifty has moved up 18 points to 2,033.

ONGC and Reliance are up a per cent each at Rs 856 (up Rs 5) and Rs 565 (up Rs 4), respectively. While ITC has added Rs 9 to Rs 1,330, HLL is down a tad at Rs 134.

SBI has logged 1.27% gains (Rs 8) to Rs 674. HDFC Bank has advanced 2.23% (Rs 12) to Rs 531, while ICICI Bank is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 393.

Infosys has gained a per cent (Rs 13) to Rs 2,172. Wipro and Satyam, too, have commenced in the green at Rs 651 and Rs 392, respectively.

Ranbaxy has gained Rs 6 to Rs 1,060. Dr. Reddy's and Cipla have commenced with a per cent gain each at Rs 759 and Rs 256, respectively.

Hindalco and L&T have clocked a per cent gain each to Rs 1,325 (up Rs 12) and Rs 982 (up Rs 8), respectively.