Sensex up 251pts; breadth firm

The Sensex is now up 251 points at 16,495.

HDFC Bank has zoomed 6.5% to Rs 1,390. Infosys has soared nearly 4% to Rs 1,663.

DLF, Hindalco and ICICI Bank have rallied around 3.5% each to Rs 644, Rs 183 and Rs 842, respectively.

HDFC, Tata Steel, Wipro and Mahindra & Mahindra have surged over 3% each to Rs 2,460, Rs 712, Rs 461 and Rs 639, respectively.

Satyam has gained 2.7% at Rs 467, and Jaiprakash Associates has added 2.5% to Rs 219.

SBI has advanced 2.3% to Rs 1,704. TCS is up 2% at Rs 994.

Hindustan Unilever has slipped over 1% to Rs 238.

Out of 2,690 stocks traded so far, 1,969 have advanced, 657 have declined and 64 are unchanged.