Sensex opens firm, ONGC jumps

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 14 points at 6,701, and scaled up to a high of 6,724 on healthy buying support in heavyweights and other select old economy counters. It is now up 36 points at 6,723. The Nifty has added 11 points to 2,104.

Reliance has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 4) to Rs 553. While ONGC has moved up (Rs 13) at Rs 869, ITC has commenced with a gain of Rs 5 at Rs 1,345. HLL, however, is down a notch at Rs 147.

Infosys (up Rs 6 to Rs 2,189) and Wipro (up Rs 3 to Rs 674) are up with steady gains. Satyam is down a rupee at Rs 396.

SBI is up Rs 2 at Rs 708. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are up a tad each at Rs 576 and Rs 390, respectively.

L&T has moved up 1.47% (Rs 16) to Rs 1,130.

Bajaj has gained 1.23% (Rs 13) to Rs 1,057, and Maruti is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 466.

Cement and pharma stocks, too, have opened in the green with steady gains.