Sensex up 181pts; M&M, HDFC lead

The Sensex is now up 181 points at 17,987.

The NSE Nifty is up 43 points at 5,313.

Mahindra & Mahindra has zoomed over 5% to Rs 663. HDFC has soared 4.3% to Rs 2,686.

Larsen & Toubro and BHEL have surged over 3.5% each to Rs 3,646 and Rs 2,255, respectively.

Ranbaxy has advanced over 3% to Rs 433. ICICI Bank has moved up 1.7% to Rs 1,137.

ONGC, Tata Steel and Maruti are up 1.3% each at Rs 1,042, Rs 820 and Rs 823, respectively.

Grasim has shed 2.5% at Rs 2,968. Infosys has slipped 1.6% to Rs 1,635.

Bajaj Auto, ACC and TCS are down over 1% each at Rs Rs 2,183, Rs 822 and Rs 889, respectively.

Out of 2,759 stocks traded so far, 1,664 have advanced, 1,020 have declined and 75 are unchagned.