Sensex up 54pts; NTPC stands firm, up 4%

The Sensex is now up 54 points at 13,735.

NTPC has soared 4% to Rs 148. Tata Steel has surged over 2% to Rs 482, and Hindalco has added 1.7% to Rs 178.

HLL and Dr.Reddy's have rallied nearly 2% each to Rs 245 and Rs 751, respectively. Satyam has spurted 1.5% to Rs 469.

ONGC, Cipla, BHEL and HDFC Bank are up over 1% each at Rs 856, Rs 263, Rs 2,544 and Rs 1,119, respectively.

Out of 2,434 stocks traded so far, 1,465 have advanced, 888 have declined and the rest are unchanged.