Sensex steady

The market continues to remain in a range-bound mode as most of the counters are still trading at their earlier gains. While mixed trend is seen in auto, cement and pharma majors, buying remains steady in heavyweights, banking and tech pivotals.

The Sensex is now up 22 points at 6,604, while the Nifty has added 10 points to 2,067.

The market breadth continues to remain positive on the BSE, with 1,444 gainers and 874 losers.

Reliance has inched up a per cent (Rs 4) to Rs 552. While ITC has added Rs 4 to Rs 1,287, HLL is up a notch at Rs 144.

HPCL is trading higher by 2.16% (Rs 7) at Rs 351, while ONGC is up Rs 4 at Rs 818.

SBI has moved up 1.30% (Rs 9) to Rs 686. HDFC Bank (up Rs 3 to Rs 563) and ICICI Bank (up Rs 2 to Rs 375) are moving in a narrow range.

Infosys at Rs 2,145 (up Rs 3) is exhibiting a range-bound trend. Wipro and Satyam are trading with a rupee gain each at Rs 681 and Rs 396, respectively.

BHEL has gained 1.84% (Rs 15) to Rs 853. While L&T has shed 1.80% (Rs 20) to Rs 1,070, Zee has lost 2% (Rs 3) to 149 following Madras High Court's verdict against the company.

Select FMCG counters have rose sharply. Bata has soared nearly 13% (Rs 10) to Rs 85. While Rei Agro has spurted 5% to Rs 152, Gillette has gained 3.57% to Rs 650. Agro Tech, Raybon Sunglass, Dabur, Tata Coffee, Marico and Tata Tea have gained between 1-4%.

Mother Sumi Systems continues to reel under selling pressure. The counter has plunged 31.15% (Rs 31) to Rs 69. While Bank of Punjab has tumbled 8.33% (Rs 4) to Rs 41, Crompton Greaves has lost 5.57% (Rs 22) to Rs 365. VST Industries has shed 3.66% to Rs 221, and Radico Khaitan is down 3.37% at Rs 350. Honeywell, Nirma and Pritish Nandy Communications are down 3% each at Rs 583, Rs 331 and Rs 57, respectively.