Sensex opens firm, up 90 pts

After tumbling over 100 points yesterday, the Sensex made a strong opening at 7,172 - up 27 points over the yesterday's close. Strong gains in heavyweights, tech stocks and other old economy counters fuelled the rally, and the index jumped over the 7,200-mark to a high of 7,240.

The Sensex is now up 90 points at 7,235, while the Nifty has gained 19 points to 2,198.

Reliance has logged 1.65% gains (Rs 10) to Rs 624. ONGC has resumed with a gain of 1.68% (Rs 16) at Rs 945, while ITC is up a per cent (Rs 15) at Rs 1,695. HLL is up 1.71% (Rs 3) at Rs 161.

Infosys has commenced 1.13% higher (Rs 26) to Rs 2,344. Wipro at Rs 728 (up Rs 17 or 2.46%), TCS at Rs 1,324 (up Rs 14 or 1.10%) and Satyam at Rs 499 (up Rs 9 or 1.74%) have opened with strong gains.

SBI has scaled up 1.32% (Rs 9) to Rs 720, and HDFC Bank is up a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 646.

Ranbaxy is up a per cent (Rs 11) at Rs 1,060, while Cipla has gained 1.34% (Rs 4) to Rs 318.

While Reliance Energy has clocked 1.89% gains (Rs 12) to Rs 639, Hindalco has gained 1.96% (Rs 24) to Rs 1,235. Tisco is up 1.75% (Rs 6) at Rs 360.