Sensex pares gains, up 12pts; breadth +ve

The Sensex has pared gains and is now up 18 points at 12,998. The index had touched a high of 13,071.

NTPC has surged 2.4% to Rs 149, and Dr.Reddy's has advanced 2% to Rs 720.

HDFC Bank and Hero Honda have moved up over 1.5% each to Rs 948 and Rs 691, respectively.

TCS has shed 2% to Rs 1,222, and HLL has slipped 1.7% to Rs 201.

HDFC is down over 1% at Rs 1,516.

The market breadth is positive - out of 2,047 stocks traded so far, 1,359 have advanced, 618 have declined and 70 are unchanged today.