Sensex up 78 points; auto, cement lead upmove

The Sensex is standing tall with gains of 78 points at 8727. The Nifty is up 24 points to 2628.

Buying is seen across the board with auto and cement stocks leading the upmove. Gujarat Ambuja has surged 4.7% to Rs 78.40, and ACC has gained 3.8% at Rs 503, while Grasim is up 1.9% at Rs 1,280.

Maruti and Tata Motors have rallied over 3% each to Rs 607 and Rs 547, respectively. Bajaj Auto has jumped 2.7% to Rs 1,983, while Hero Honda is up 1% at Rs 814.

Cipla has strengthened by 1.9% at Rs 393, and Ranbaxy is up 1.4% at Rs 405. Dr.Reddy's is, however, unchanged at Rs 939.

Reliance Energy has gained 2% at Rs 579. ONGC is up 1% at Rs 1,019 and Tata Steel is up 1.4% at Rs 372. Wipro has moved up 2.6% to Rs 423 and TCS has advanced 1.2% to Rs 1,525.

However, index heavywieghts Infosys at Rs 2,719, HLL at Rs 170, ITC at Rs 131 and Reliance Industries at Rs 832 are trading with marginal gains of less than 1%.