Sensex soars 56 pts, Reliance sizzles

The Sensex breached the 6,500-mark in the afternoon trades following a sharp surge in heavyweights and other select counters. Profit-taking in select stocks dragged the index below the 6,500 mark, but still ended at an another all-time high at 6,498 - up 56 points.

The Nifty advanced 18 points to close at 2,063.

Reliance, ahead of its crucial board meeting on Monday, was the star attraction for the day. The stock surged 3.47% (Rs 18) to Rs 524. While ITC was up Rs 2 at Rs 1,299, HLL ended marginally lower at Rs 144.

ONGC added 1.64% (Rs 14) to Rs 857 after its board approved the 200% dividend payout for the financial year 2004-05. HPCL moved up 3.24% (Rs 12) to Rs 387.

HDFC Bank jumped 2% (Rs 10) to Rs 503. While ICICI Bank ended off-highs with a gain of 2.10% (Rs 8) to Rs 371, SBI ended down a tad at Rs 609.

Tisco jumped 3.70% (Rs 13) to Rs 359.

Satyam moved up 1.58% (Rs 6) to Rs 409, and Wipro gained 1.18% (Rs 9) to Rs 757. Infosys, after a short stint in positive territory in late noon trades, ended down a rupee at Rs 2,065.

BHEL and Reliance Energy closed down a per cent each at Rs 726 and Rs 530, respectively. Tata Power also ended weak at Rs 380 - down Rs 3.

Auto, cement and pharma pivotals largely finished on a weak note.