Sensex surges 54 pts; Reliance up 2%

After moving with steady gains in the first half, the market has surged in early noon trades following steep buying support, particularly in old econonomy stocks.

The Sensex, which breached the 6,600-mark to touch a high of 6,607, is now up 54 points at 6,604. The Nifty, too, has firmed up on strong buying support to 2,066 - up 14 points.

Reliance has advanced 1.75% (Rs 10) to Rs 565. While ITC has jumped 1.61% (Rs 22) to Rs 1,372, HLL has inched up by 1.35% (Rs 2) to Rs 131. ONGC, however, is subdued with a per cent loss (Rs 7) at Rs 906.

SBI is up 1.12% (Rs 7) at Rs 652. While HDFC Bank has clocked 1.44% gains (Rs 8) to Rs 550, ICICI Bank is up a notch at Rs 425.

Infosys has rolled back into the green to Rs 2,230 - up Rs 10. While Wipro has moved up 1.61% (Rs 11) to Rs 670, Satyam is marginally up at Rs 417.

Zee has soared nearly 4% (Rs 6) to Rs 145.

HPCL has added 2.48% (Rs 8) to Rs 325, and L&T is up 1.17% (Rs 12) at Rs 1,036. While Tisco has notched up 2.12% gains (Rs 8) to Rs 390, Tata Power is up 1.93% (Rs 7) at Rs 353.

Grasim has gained 1.22% (Rs 15) to Rs 1,226. Gujarat Ambuja (up Rs 4 to Rs 413) and ACC (up Rs 2 to Rs 364) are trading with steady gains.

Bajaj, however, is still exhibiting weakness at Rs 1,072 - down Rs 12 or 1.12%.