Sensex up 14 pts, REL strikes early gains

The Sensex opened marginally higher over its last close at 6,986, but eased on selling pressure in select heavyweights to touch an early low of 6,977.

Gains in ONGC, Reliance Energy and other select counters pushed the index into the green to a high of 6,999.

The Sensex is now up 14 points at 6,998, while the Nifty is up two points at 2,146.

Reliance Energy has advanced 2.70% (Rs 18) to Rs 676. ONGC has commenced with a gain of 1.10% (up Rs 10) at Rs 932. HLL is up a notch at Rs 148, while Reliance Industries is trading marginally weak at Rs 629.

Ranbaxy is up a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 1,079. Other pharma majors are mixed in early trades.

SBI is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 662, and ICICI Bank is up a rupee at Rs 406. HDFC Bank, however, is down Rs 2 at Rs 595.

Infosys (down Rs 15 to Rs 2,360), TCS (down Rs 4 to Rs 1,292) and Satyam (down Rs 2 to Rs 502) have slipped in early deals. Wipro, however, has resumed in the green at Rs 758 - up Rs 3.

L&T has gained a per cent (Rs 7) to Rs 1,108, and Tisco is up 1.25% (Rs 4) at Rs 353. HDFC, however, has lost 1.28% (Rs 11) to Rs 850.