Sensex up 72pts; Re firm at 44.74/$

The Sensex is now up 72 points at 13,689.

Reliance Energy has gained 2.5% at Rs 546. Wipro, Bharti Airtel and Satyam have advanced over 2% each to Rs 581, Rs 637 and Rs 462, respectively.

Gujarat Ambuja, ICICI Bank and Reliance Communications have moved up nearly 1.5% each to Rs 139, Rs 883 and Rs 422, respectively.

Larsen & Toubro, ONGC and Hero Honda are up 1% each.

HLL has slipped over 1% to Rs 246. Tata Steel, Infosys and ITC are the other prominent losers.

Rupee strong at 44.74/$

The rupee started strong at 44.80/$ and went on to touch a high of 44.71/$.

The rupee is now quoted at 44.74/$ as against its previouse close of 44.87/$.