Sensex up 273pts; cement stocks slip

The Sensex is now up 273 points at 13,219.

BHEL has soared 5.7% to Rs 2,223. Maruti and ONGC have rallied around 5% each to Rs 832 and Rs 851.

HLL has surged 4% to Rs 199. Larsen & Toubro, HDFC Bank and SBI have advanced around 3.5% each to Rs 1,556, Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,015, respectively.

Hero Honda, ITC and TCS have gained around 3% each at Rs 670, Rs 149 and Rs 1,302, respectively.

Cement stocks have slipped into red following the news that the Finance Minister has asked the cement makers to moderate prices.

Grasim has shed nearly 1% to Rs 2,090. Gujarat Ambuja and ACC are marginally in red at Rs 106 and Rs 751, respectively.

Out of 2,414 stocks traded so far, 1,649 have advanced, 688 have declined and 77 are unchanged.