Sensex up 44pts; ITC gains 2%

The Sensex is now up 44 points at 20,236.

ITC has surged 2.3% to Rs 204.

Hindalco and HDFC Bank have rallied over 2% each to Rs 214 and Rs 1,739, respectively.

ICICI Bank, Reliance Energy and ONGC have gained 1% each at Rs 1,233, Rs 2,135 and Rs 1,248, respectively.

Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Auto have slipped nearly 2% each to Rs 964 and Rs 2,632, respectively.

Reliance Communications has shed 1.4% at Rs 733.

Out 2,895 stocks traded so far, 2,084 have advanced, 769 have declined and 42 are unchanged.