Sensex up 174pts; breadth firm

The Sensex is now up 174 points at 12,799.

BHEL, NTPC and HDFC have surged 4.7% each to Rs 2,362, Rs 161 and Rs 1,492, respectively. Dr.Reddy's has rallied 3.3% to Rs 743.

ICICI Bank has advanced 2.5% to Rs 824. Wipro, Tata Steel, Cipla and Bharti Airtel have gained around 2% each at Rs 545, Rs 439, Rs 229 and Rs 749, respectively.

Hero Honda has tumbled nearly 2% to Rs 647, and Grasim has dropped 1.7% to Rs 2,068, respectively.

Out of 2,515 stocks traded so far, 1,560 have advanced, 873 have declined and 82 are unchanged.