Sensex pares gains, up 169pts

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 99 points at 19,690, and soon touched a high of 19,872. The index has pared gains and is now up 169 points at 19,760.

ONGC and NTPC have surged over 2% each to Rs 1,328 and Rs 242, respectively.

Reliance Energy has moved up 1.8% to Rs 1,853, and Bharti Airtel has added 1.6% to Rs 957.

Hindalco and Maruti have advanced 1.3% each to Rs 195 and Rs 1,009, respectively.

ACC, Bajaj Auto, HDFC, Larsen & Toubro, Ranbaxy and Reliance are up over 1% each.