Sensex up 20 pts in early trades

The Sensex opened with a strong positive gap of 24 points at 6,563. Sustained buying in select heavyweights, tech and other old economy counters pushed the index to an early high of 6,579.

The Sensex is now up 20 points at 6,559, while the Nifty has added six points to 2,020.

ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 7) at Rs 875, while Reliance is up Rs 2 at Rs 533. HLL is up a notch at Rs 128.

Infosys has resumed 1.10% higher (Rs 24) at Rs 2,159. While Wipro has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 4) to Rs 672, Satyam is up Rs 2 at Rs 462.

HDFC Bank has gained a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 550, and SBI is up Rs 2 at Rs 653. ICICI Bank, however, has commenced weak to Rs 398 - down Rs 4.

Dr. Reddy's has slipped a per cent (Rs 6) to Rs 690. Other pharma counters are divergent.

HDFC has lost Rs 8 to Rs 757.