Sensex opens steady, up 11 pts

The Sensex opened 12 points higher over its last close at 6,617. Steady buying in select heavyweights pushed the index to a high of 6,636, before profit-taking in select counters trimmed its gains to 6,616 - up 11 points. The Nifty is down a point at 2,067.

ONGC is up Rs 3 at Rs 884. While ITC has added 1.12% (Rs 15) to Rs 1,373, Reliance is up a rupee at Rs 565. HLL is marginally down at Rs 132.

ICICI Bank has gained 1.57% (Rs 6) to Rs 412. While SBI is marginally up at Rs 671, HDFC Bank is down Rs 2 at Rs 550.

HPCL has lost 2.88% (Rs 9) to Rs 313, and HDFC has lost 1.35% (Rs 10) to Rs 717.

Auto, cement, tech and pharma counters have commenced on a mixed note.