Sensex up 31 pts; RIL, SBI, ONGC firm

The markets witnessed hectic activity in the early trades. After touching an early high of 6,411 and a low of 6,347, the index in current trades has bounced back into the green as buying has picked up in select heavyweights, banking, cement and other old economy stocks.

The Sensex is now up 31 points at 6,398. The Nifty has gained 13 points to 2,011.

Reliance has advanced 1.17% (Rs 6) to Rs 532. While ITC has moved up a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 1,287, HLL is trading a tad lower at Rs 142.

SBI has jumped 1.52% (Rs 9) to Rs 614. While ICICI Bank is up 1.23% (Rs 4) at Rs 358, HDFC Bank is up Rs 2 at Rs 487.

ONGC has scaled up 2.10% (Rs 16) to Rs 801.

Gujarat Ambuja has gained nearly 2.45% (Rs 10) to Rs 426, and ACC is up 1.27% (Rs 4) at Rs 348. Grasim is marginally down at Rs 1,297.

Bajaj, after a firm opening, has slipped into the red to Rs 1,055 - down Rs 16 or 1.51%.

HDFC has shed 2.33% (Rs 17) to Rs 721. Bharti has lost nearly 2% (Rs 4) to Rs 207, after a positive opening. L&T, however, has added 1.37% (Rs 13) to Rs 952. Tisco has gained 1.90% (Rs 7) to Rs 362.

Infosys, after a weak opening, is down a per cent (Rs 20) at Rs 2,023. While Satyam is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 382, Wipro is trading with a modest gain of Rs 4 at Rs 693.