Sensex up 27 pts, auto stocks move up

The Sensex, which recovered soon from its weak opening, gained further ground to touch a high of 6,482. It is now up 27 points at 6,472 as steady gains continue in most of the old economy counters. The Nifty is steady at 1,995 - up nine points.

ONGC has moved up 1.18% (Rs 10) to Rs 887, while HLL is up a rupee at Rs 133. Reliance, however, is still lacklustre at Rs 539 - down Rs 3.

Bajaj has added 1.36% (Rs 15) to Rs 1,142. While Maruti has gained 1.48% (Rs 6) to Rs 439, Hero Honda and Tata Motors are up a per cent each at Rs 556 (up Rs 5) and Rs 433 (up Rs 4), respectively.

SBI is still up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 620. HDFC Bank is up Rs 2 at Rs 537, and ICICI Bank is up a notch at Rs 393.

Wipro is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 643. Infosys and Satyam are still trading with marginal losses at Rs 2,060 and Rs 428, respectively.

Ranbaxy has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 9) to Rs 974. Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are up a rupee each at Rs 656 and Rs 277, respectively.

L&T at Rs 1,016 (up Rs 13 or 1.32%), HDFC at Rs 752 (up Rs 16 or 2.16%) and Tisco at Rs 361 (up Rs 4) have edged higher from their earlier gains.

Select capital goods stocks have firmed up on buying support. Usha Martin has added 5.67% (Rs 5) to Rs 91, and Kirloskar Brothers has gained 5.15% (Rs 76) to Rs 1,560. Timkem, Astra Micro, Ingersol RND, BEML, Siemens, Greaves Cotton and Gammon India are up in a range of 2-4%.