Sensex recovers; ONGC, SBI log gains

Fresh buying in select heavyweights and other old economy stocks has seen the Sensex roll back into the green in early noon trades, after a volatile opening and a subsequent subdued session thereafter. It is now up eight points at 6,376, while the Nifty, too, has moved into positive zone at 1,992 - up eight points.

The market breadth is positive, with 1,453 gains and 554 losses on the BSE so far.

ONGC has surged 2.64% (Rs 22) to Rs 856, with a traded volume of over 2.21 lakh. While SBI, on a volume of over 11.6 lakh, has jumped 1.65% (Rs 11) to Rs 651, Reliance is up a rupee at Rs 550.

HDFC has advanced 4.70% (Rs 32) to Rs 721. While Tata Power has moved up 2.15% (Rs 7) to Rs 347, Zee has gained 2% (Rs 3) to Rs 135. Over 1.20 lakh Zee shares have been traded so far.

Hero Honda has gained 1.47% (Rs 8) to Rs 527, while Maruti is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 415. Tata Motors is also trading in the green at Rs 411 - up Rs 3.

Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are up with steady gains at Rs 744 and Rs 252, respectively. Ranbaxy, however, is down 1.42% (Rs 15) at Rs 1,048.

ITC at Rs 1,271 (down Rs 5) is trading on a subdued note. HLL is marginally weak at Rs 131.

ICICI Bank (down Rs 11 or 2.86% to Rs 379) and HDFC Bank (down Rs 9 or 1.62% to Rs 528) are still trading with steep losses. Over 2.8 lakh ICICI Bank shares have changed hands on the BSE.

Bharti is still trading on a lacklustre note at Rs 203 - down Rs 3.

McDowell, which opened at Rs 210, has hit the 5% upper circuit breaker at Rs 224, with a traded volume of over 8.54 lakh.