Sensex up 273pts; M&M soars 5%

The Sensex is now up 273 points at 18,079.

The NSE Nifty is up 80 points at 5,350.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has zoomed over 5% to Rs 662. Larsen & Toubro has soared 4.3% to Rs 3,670.

HDFC and BHEL have surged 4% each to Rs 2,680 and Rs 2,268, respectively.

Ranbaxy has gained 3.5% at Rs 434, and Hindalco has added 2.5% to Rs 202.

Tata Steel ICICI Bank and ONGC have advanced over 2% each to Rs 828, Rs 1,143 and Rs 1,049, respectively.

Infosys has shed 1.7% at Rs 1,633, and Bajaj Auto has slipped over 1% to Rs 2,182.