Sensex up 40pts; NTPC drops 2%

The Sensex is now up 40 points at 13,657.

HDFC Bank has rallied 3% to Rs 1,120. TCS and Dr.Reddy's have surged 2.5% each to Rs 1,193 and Rs 753, respectively.

ICICI Bank, Cipla and Wipro have advanced 1.5% each to Rs 869, Rs 253 and Rs 591, respectively.

SBI and Reliance Communications are up over 1% each at Rs 1,317 and Rs 427, respectively.

NTPC has slipped nearly 2% to Rs 146. Ranbaxy has shed 1.5% to Rs 374.

Hindalco, Reliance Energy and ONGC are down over 1% each to Rs 174, Rs 528 and Rs 848, respectively.

Out of 2,596 stocks traded so far, 1,324 have declined, 1,198 have advanced and 74 are unchanged.