Sensex up 170pts; RIL, Infosys firm

The Sensex is now up 170 points at 12,625.

NTPC has soared nearly 5% to Rs 154, and BHEL has surged 4.5% to Rs 2,250. Wipro has rallied 3% to Rs 533.

Hero Honda has advanced 2.5% to Rs 655. Grasim, Satyam, Reliance and Infosys have gained around 2% each at Rs 2,100, Rs 456, Rs 1,341 and Rs 1,958, respectively.

Out of 2,453 stocks traded so far, 1,317 have advanced, 1,038 have declined and 98 are unchanged.