Sensex up 64pts, Maruti zooms 5%

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 19 points at 8,400, and moved up to a high of 8,461 in early noon deals. The index stayed above the 8,400-mark for most part of the session, and closed on a firm note with a gain of 64 points (0.76%) at 8,445.

ITC zoomed 3.3% (Rs 61) to Rs 1,940. SBI gained Rs 11 to Rs 911. Reliance was marginally higher at Rs 765.

HDFC Bank gained 3% (Rs 21) to Rs 710. ICICI Bank was up 2.6% (Rs 14) to Rs 557.

Maruti advanced 5% (Rs 29) to Rs 591. Bajaj added 2% (Rs 32) to Rs 1,679. Hero Honda also moved up 2% (Rs 13) to Rs 697.

Hindalco added over 3% (Rs 5) to Rs 160. Tisco gained 1.7% (Rs 7) to Rs 429. L&T added 1.5% (Rs20) to Rs 1,381. BHEL was up over 1% (Rs 14) at Rs 1,112.

Dr. Reddy's was up Rs 9 at Rs 810. Cipla and Ranbaxy also finished with gains.

Infosys, TCS and Satyam declined marginally today.