Sensex up 40pts; Hindalco soars 3%

The Sensex is now up 40 points at 18,553.

Hindalco has soared over 3% to Rs 195. BHEL and SBI have surged 2.3% each to Rs 2,328 and Rs 1,952, respectively.

Tata Steel has rallied 2% to Rs 933. Bharti Airtel has advanced 1.5% to Rs 1,001.

Reliance Energy and ICICI Bank have moved up 1.3% each to Rs 1,676 and Rs 1,111, respectively. Tata Motors has added 1% to Rs 782.

Dr.Reddy's has slipped nearly 2% to Rs 618.

HDFC, ONGC and HDFC Bank have dropped 1.5% each to Rs 2,504, Rs 1,092 and Rs 1,485, respectively.

Maruti has shed 1.3% at Rs 1,105. Wipro, Cipla, Hindustan Unilever and ITC are down 1% each at Rs 481, Rs 195, Rs 213 and Rs 183, respectively.