Sensex up 634pts; NTPC soars 7%

The Sensex is now up 634 points at 18,248.

BHEL has zoomed nearly 11% to Rs 2,280. Reliance Energy has soared 8% to Rs 1,479, and NTPC has surged 7% to Rs 213.

Larsen & Toubro and HDFC Bank have rallied 6.5% each to Rs 3,304 and Rs 1,462, respectively.

Bharti Airtel has gained 6% at Rs 982. Reliance has moved up 5% to Rs 2,535.

SBI, Cipla and ACC have advanced over 4% each to Rs 1,785, Rs 188 and Rs 1,060, respectively.

HDFC has slipped 1.3% to Rs 2,540.

Out of 2,700 stocks traded so far, 2,078 have advanced, 556 have declined and 66 are unchanged.