Sensex up 209pts; ITC slips 1%

The Sensex is now up 209 points at 18,257.

The Nifty is up 66 points at 5,343.

ACC has soared over 5% to Rs 796. TCS and Grasim have surged 3% each to Rs 879 and Rs 2,870, respectively.

Ranbaxy has rallied 2.7% to Rs 407. Cipla and ONGC have gained 2.3% each at Rs 189 and Rs 1,044, respectively.

Reliance and Hindustan Unilever have advanced 2% each to Rs 2,604 and Rs 221, respectively.

Wipro and Tata Motors are up 1.7% each at Rs 422 and Rs 745, respectively.

ITC has slipped 1% to Rs 208.

Out of 2,671 stocks traded so far, 1,928 have advanced, 687 have declined and the rest are unchanged.