Sensex up 579pts; breadth +ve

The Sensex is now up 579 points at 16,248.

HDFC and HDFC Bank have zoomed 7.7% each to Rs 2,350 and Rs 1,324, respectively.

Maruti, ONGC and Bharti Airtel have soared 5.5% each to Rs 923, Rs 897 and Rs 877, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has surged 4.8% to Rs 743. Tata Steel and Reliance have rallied 4.5% each to Rs 743 and Rs 2,152, respectively.

ICICI Bank and SBI have advanced 4.3% each to Rs 966 and Rs 1,766, respectively.

Reliance Communications and Tata Motors are up 4% each at Rs 559 and Rs 724, respectively. Bajaj Auto has gained 3.5% at Rs 2,487.

Out of 2,821 stocks traded so far, 1,569 have advanced, 1,171 have declined and 81 are unchanged.