Sensex up 23pts; breadth marginally +ve

The Sensex has pared gains and is now up 23 points at 12,729. The index had touched a high of 12,774.

Reliance Energy has surged 2.7% to Rs 489, and ICICI Bank has rallied 2% to Rs 841.

ITC and BHEL are up 1% each at Rs 142 and Rs 2,064, respectively.

SBI and HLL are the other significant gainers.

Satyam, Tata Motors and HDFC are the prominent losers.

The market breadth is marginally positive - out of 1,851 stocks traded so far, 952 have advanced, 837 have declined and 62 are unchanged.