Sensex steady, RIL trading firm

The market is still below its early highs, although renewed buying in heavyweights, select tech and other old economy stocks pulled the index from its mid-morning downfall. The Sensex is now up 26 points at 6,589. The Nifty is up three points at 2,075.

Reliance, with a volume of over 18.27 lakh, has firmed up to Rs 537 - up Rs 8 or 1.61%. While ITC is still up a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 1,327, HLL is still down a tad at Rs 143.

Infosys (up Rs 28 or 1.37% to Rs 2,090) is holding on to its gains. While Satyam, with a volume of over 4.73 lakh, is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 416, Wipro is up with a modest gain of Rs 3 at Rs 755.

ACC, on a volume of over 5.2 lakh, has upped its gains by 2% (Rs 7) to Rs 332. Grasim and Gujarat Ambuja are up a per cent each at Rs 1,310 and Rs 401, respectively.

Bajaj is up a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 1,130. Hero Honda at Rs 556 (up Rs 5) is trading with steady gains.

Hindalco is trading with a gain of 1.51% (Rs 21) at Rs 1,389. ONGC and HPCL are trading with a per cent loss each at Rs 818 (down Rs 6) and Rs 400 (down Rs 4), respectively.

Mid-day Multimedia has hit the 20% upper limit of the circuit breaker to Rs 71 - up Rs 12. While Centurion Bank has mopped up 7.57% to Rs 16, Himachal Futuristics has moved up 7.44% to Rs 18.

Select Capital goods stocks have firmed up. Elgi Equipments has notched up 7% gains (Rs 4) to Rs 54, and Gammon India has surged 5% to Rs 700. Atlas, Dredging, Thermax and Esab India are also trading with decent gains.

Stocks which have touched their new highs are CESC at Rs 176, Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicasl at Rs 29, Jindal Iron & Steel at Rs 350, Sail at Rs 65, HDFC Bank at Rs 525, Hindustan Construction at Rs 336 and Hin Zinc at Rs 154.