Sensex up 173pts; ITC, Tata Steel soar 4%

The Sensex is now up 173 points at 13,954.

HDFC has soared over 5% to Rs 1,678. Tata Steel and ITC have surged 3.8% each to Rs 584 and Rs 167, respectively.

Hindalco has gained 3.5% at Rs 149. Bajaj Auto has rallied 3% to Rs 2,643.

Wipro, SBI, HDFC Bank and Satyam have advanced around 2% each to Rs 563, Rs 1,148, Rs 1,018 and Rs 461, respectively.

Reliance Communications, ONGC, Reliance Energy and Dr.Reddy's are the other major gainers.

Out of 2,529 stocks traded so far, 1,597 have advanced, 859 have declined and 73 are unchanged.