Sensex up 72pts; ICICI, HDFC Bank advance

The Sensex is now up 72 points at 12,246.

HDFC has advanced 1.5% to Rs 1,414. ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank have moved up 1.3% each to Rs 669 and Rs 890, respectively.

Bajaj Auto, Reliance and Wipro are up 1% each at Rs 2,898, Rs 1,175 and Rs 520, respectively.

SBI, Tata Motors, Satyam and TCS are the other prominent gainers.

Bharti Airtel and ITC have slipped 1% each to Rs 469 and Rs 183, respectively.

Out of 2,510 stocks traded so far, 1,258 have declined, 1,156 have advanced and the rest are unchanged.