Sensex up 10 pts, ICICI Bank flares up

The market is moving on a steady note with an upward bias on stock-specific activity. After clocking an early high of 6,649, the index slipped into the red to touch a low of 6,593.

The Sensex is now up 10 points at 6,615, while the Nifty is subdued at 2,065 - down three points.

ICICI Bank, with a volume of over 3.13 lakh, has soared nearly 4% (Rs 16) to Rs 422. While HDFC Bank is subdued at Rs 550 (down Rs 2), SBI is down a tad at Rs 670.

Satyam has moved up 1.42% (Rs 6) to Rs 427, and Wipro is up Rs 3 at Rs 676. Zee has gained 1.56% (Rs 2) to Rs 140.

Ranbaxy, Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are up with steady gains at Rs 1,013, Rs 753 and Rs 263, respectively.

HDFC, after a weak opening, has added 1.42% (Rs 10) to Rs 727.

Reliance, with a traded volume of over 20.32 lakh, is down Rs 2 at Rs 562. While ITC (down Rs 8 to Rs 1,350), has slipped from a positive opening, HLL is down a rupee at Rs 131.

Bajaj has shed 1.86% (Rs 20) to Rs 1,069. While Tata Motors has declined 2.15% (Rs 9) to Rs 425, Maruti, which reported strong FY04-05 sales figure, is down 1.84% (Rs 8) at Rs 425. Hero Honda, however, is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 549.

HPCL has shed 2.73% (Rs 9) to Rs 314.

BEML, which opened at Rs 410, has hit the 20% upper circuit breaker at Rs 467 - up Rs 78.

Select health care and tech stocks have attracted buying support. Divi's Lab has soared 9% (Rs 90) to Rs 1,080. While Apollo Hospitals has notched up 7.39% gains (Rs 26) to Rs 377, Strides Acrolab has jumped 5.15% (Rs 11) to Rs 221. Dabur Pharma, Dishman Pharma, Orchid Chemicals, Astrazen Pharma and J B Chem Pharma have gained between 3-4%.

Tata Infotech has shot up 6.15% (Rs 32) to Rs 559, and Mastek has surged 5.76% (Rs 21) to Rs 384. While Polaris has moved up 4.22% (Rs 5) to R%s 116, Visual Software has gained 4.14% (Rs 5) to Rs 118.