Sensex range-bound

As today being the last day of the Nifty December futures expiry, the market is witnessing a cautious optimism after a firm opening and a steady rise above the 6,600 mark in early trades. The Sensex, as a result, is still holding on to its gains at 6,599 - up 31 points. The Nifty has slightly come off from its early highs, and is up seven points at 2,077.

Advances lead declines in a ratio of 2:1 on the BSE.

Reliance, on profit-taking, has pared gains to Rs 533 - up Rs 2. The counter has clocked a volume of over 4.1 lakh on the BSE so far. While HLL is up a rupee at Rs 145, ITC has inched lower by Rs 2 to Rs 1,318.

ONGC is unchanged with a per cent gain (Rs 8) at Rs 821.

Hindalco has firmed up 2% (Rs 30) to Rs 1,443. While Bharti, on a volume of over 3.28 lakh, has gained 1.86% (Rs 4) to Rs 217, Tisco is up 1.42% (Rs 5) at Rs 392, with a volume of voer 5.90 lakh. L&T, however, is down a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 978.

Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are up a per cent each at Rs 861 (up Rs 5) and Rs 316 (up Rs 3), respectively. Ranbaxy has gained Rs 5 to Rs 1,246.

ACC is still up 1.15% (Rs 4) at Rs 339. Grasim at Rs 1,312 (up Rs 10) and Gujarat Ambuja at Rs 404 (up Rs 2) are displaying a steady buying trend.

SBI, on a volume of over 2.42 lakh, has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 5) to Rs 628. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, too, are up a per cent each at Rs 516 (up Rs 4) and Rs 374 (up Rs 3), respectively.

Glenmark pharma has hit the 10% upper ciruit breaker to Rs 440 (up Rs 40) on a volume of over 1.69 lakh on the BSE.

Bank stocks have attracted relentless buying support. Centurion Bank has flared up 12.38% (Rs 2) to Rs 18.52. While Bank of Maharashtra has mopped up 10.45% (Rs 3) to Rs 35, South Indian Bank has moved up 9.44% (Rs 6) to Rs 72. Bank of Rajasthan has advanced 9% (Rs 6) to Rs 70, and ING Vysya Bank has added 8.88% (Rs 49) to Rs 606. United Western Bank is up 7.93% (Rs 4) at Rs 48. Indus Ind Bank at Rs 61 (up Rs 4 or 7.14%) and Uco Bank at Rs 31 (up Rs 2 to Rs 5.70%) also are trading with sharp gains.