Sensex up 43 pts, auto stocks weak

The market is moving in a narrow range with an upward bias. While most of the counters are trading at steady levels, auto stocks have eased due to selling pressure.

The Sensex is now up 43 points at 7,188, and the Nifty is steady at 2,188 - up nine points.

Reliance Industries is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 619, and ITC is up 1.10% (Rs 18) at Rs 1,698. ONGC, however, has slipped a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 919.

HDFC Bank has gained 1.41% (Rs 9) to Rs 649. SBI at Rs 715 (up Rs 5) and ICICI Bank at Rs 424 (up Rs 2) are trading with steady gains.

Infosys is up half a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 2,326. Other tech majors, too, are trading with steady gains.

Bajaj (down Rs 23 or 1.73% to Rs 1,327) is still languishing in negative territory. Maruti and Tata Motors are down a per cent each at Rs 445 and Rs 433, respectively. Hero Honda, however, is up a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 587.

ACC is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 394. Other cement majors are trading on a flat note.

While Tisco has added 2.39% (Rs 8) to Rs 362, Bharti is trading higher with a gain of 1.68% (Rs 4) at Rs 245.