Sensex up 253pts; NTPC soars 3%

The Sensex is now up 253 points at 19,991.

NTPC has soared over 3% to Rs 252.

Infosys and ICICI Bank have rallied 2.5% each to Rs 1,644 and Rs 1,191, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has surged 1.8% to Rs 788. Ranbaxy and ITC have moved up 1.7% each to Rs 400 and Rs 196, respectively.

Larsen & Toubro and ONGC have advanced 1.5% each to Rs 4,373 and Rs 1,223, respectively.

Satyam, Cipla and HDFC are up 1.3% each at Rs 444, Rs 192 and Rs 2,775, respectively.