Sensex up 78pts; HLL gains 2%

The Sensex is now up 78 points at 13,759.

NTPC has soared 4% to Rs 148. Tata Steel has surged 2.5% to Rs 483, and Hindalco has added 1.5% to Rs 178.

HLL has rallied 2% to Rs 246. Dr.Reddy's and Satyam have moved up 1.7% each to Rs 750 and Rs 470, respectively.

HDFC Bank has advanced 1.5% to Rs 1,125. ONGC, Cipla and BHEL are up 1.3% each at Rs 857, Rs 263 and Rs 2,547, respectively.

Out of 2,366 stocks traded so far, 1,460 have advanced, 834 have declined and the rest are unchanged.