Sensex up 178pts; HDFC Bank, JP Asso weak

The Sensex is now up 178 points at 14,987.

The NSE Nifty is up 60 points at 4,563.

Reliance Energy has surged nearly 4% to Rs 1,236. BHEL, TCS and Reliance Communications have rallied over 3% each to Rs 1,855, Rs 817 and Rs 498, respectively.

Ranbaxy, NTPC and DLF have advanced around 3% each to Rs 451, Rs 193 and Rs 620, respectively.

ONGC, Cipla, Larsen & Toubro and ICICI Bank have moved up around 2.5% each to Rs 1,010, Rs 205, Rs 2,768 and Rs 775, respectively.

HDFC Bank and Jaiprakash (JP) Associates have dropped around 3.5% each to Rs 1,195 and Rs 201, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Steel have slipped around 1.5% each to Rs 627 and Rs 649, respectively.

Out of 2,588 stocks traded so far, 1,919 have declined, 613 have advanced and 56 are unchanged.