Sensex up 43pts, Reliance flares up

Range bound trend with an upward bias is prevailing in the market. While buying has pushed up Reliance group stocks, other heavyweights are either trading at their earlier highs or have shed some gains due to profit-taking.

The Sensex is now up 43 points at 7,712, while the Nifty has gained 26 points to 2,344.

Reliance (up Rs 20 or 2.85% to Rs 728) and Reliance Energy (up Rs 20 or 3.14% to Rs 650) have extended gains on fresh buying support. ONGC has rebounded into the green with a per cent gain (Rs 8) at Rs 954. HLL, however, has dropped 2% (Rs 4) to Rs 170.

SBI is up 1.35% (Rs 11) at Rs 800. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are down a per cent each at Rs 671 (down Rs 4) and Rs 528 (down Rs 5), respectively.

TCS has moved up 2.55% (Rs 32) to Rs 1,284. Infosys (up Rs 9 to Rs 2,271) and Satyam (up Rs 6 to Rs 520) are still trading at steady levels. Wipro, however, has slipped into the red to Rs 722 - down Rs 2.

BHEL (up Rs 20 or 2% to Rs 1,013), Tisco (up Rs 10 or 2.83% to Rs 375) and Tata Power (up Rs 6 or 1.60% to Rs 410) are holding on to their gains.

Tata Motors is holding firm at Rs 519 - up Rs 19 or 3.74%. Maruti is up 1.71% (Rs 8) at Rs 502, while Bajaj has slipped further and is down a per cent (Rs 10) at Rs 1,437.