Sensex up 104pts; SBI soars 3%

The Sensex is now up 104 points, at 14,769.

SBI has soared nearly 3% to Rs 1,575. ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro have surged 2% each to Rs 969 and Rs 2,281, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever, Cipla, Grasim and HDFC Bank have advanced around 1.4% each to Rs 192, Rs 213, Rs 2,653 and Rs 1,161, respectively.

Maruti, ITC and Reliance Communications are up over 1% each to Rs 781, Rs 156 and Rs 535, respectively.

Ranbaxy, Hindalco, Reliance and BHEL are the other prominent gainers.

Reliance Energy has slipped 1% to Rs 618.