Sensex up 20 points

The sensex has opened on a positive note today and climbed up 20 points within minutes of the trading session to 6,760. The index soon slipped into red after undergoing a slight correction. But a strong buying support in the FMCG, banking and mid-cap counters vaulted the sensex back in the green zone.

The Nifty was up 3.3 points to 2,097.

Although the index is currently at 6,766, up 20 points from yesterday's close, profit booking has gripped the IT, auto and pharma stocks.

IT stocks took a hit following a weakness in the US markets yesterday - Infosys declined Rs 12 to to Rs 2,247. Satyam and Wipro lost a per cent and are currently trading at Rs 717. Bharti Tele edged lower to Rs 220.

Rising oil prices took a toll on the auto stocks. Maruti dipped 0.46% to Rs 452, Bajaj Auto is marginally 0.5% down to Rs 1,269 and Tata Motors inched up 0.2% to Rs 438.

Bhel has managed to sustain gains at Rs 876 (up Rs 7) while L&T dipped by a per cent to Rs 1,100 (down Rs 11). RIL spiked up by a per cent to Rs 559.

Banking counters are exhibiting a bullish trend after a strong rally of the ADRs on the US markets yesterday. ICICI Bank advanced 1.44% (up Rs 6) to Rs 398. SBI rose by a per cent to Rs 671.

HLL is trading firm at Rs 149, up 2% from yesterday's close.