Sensex up 77pts; bank stocks shine

The Sensex is now up 77 points at 12,296.

Gujarat Ambuja has soared 4% to Rs 127.

While ICICI Bank has rallied 3.3% to Rs 642, HDFC Bank has added 2.5% to Rs 871. SBI, too, has advanced 2.5% to Rs 961.

Satyam has surged nearly 3% to Rs 774, and Bharti Tele has gained 2.7% at Rs 420.

Hindalco has shed nearly 3% to Rs 229. HDFC and Dr.Reddy's are down nearly 2% each to Rs 1,280 and Rs 1,652, respectively.

Out of 2,576 stocks traded so far, 1,448 have advanced, 1,062 have declined and 66 are unchanged.