Sensex up 178pts; NTPC soars 4%

The Sensex is now up 178 points at 15,300.

NTPC has soared over 4% to Rs 173. Ranbaxy, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors have surged 3% each to Rs 390, Rs 695 and Rs 702, respectively.

Maruti has rallied 2.8% to Rs 857. Hindustan Unilever has gained 2.3% at Rs 207.

Reliance Energy, Wipro and SBI have moved up 2% each to Rs 782, Rs 486 and Rs 1,602, respectively.

TCS and ONGC have advanced 1.7% each to Rs 1,059 and Rs 852, respectively. Reliance and Tata Steel have added 1.5% each to Rs 1,938 and Rs 668, respectively.

Cipla, ACC, BHEL, Dr.Reddy's, Grasim and ICICI Bank are up over 1% each at Rs 167, Rs 1,074, Rs 1,880, Rs 644, Rs 2,971 and Rs 881, respectively.

HDFC Bank is down over 1% at Rs 1,169.