Sensex up 98pts; Hero, Wipro down 1%

The Sensex is now up 98 points at 12,419.

HDFC Bank, Reliance Energy and ITC have surged nearly 2% each to Rs 905, Rs 472 and Rs 187, respectively.

HDFC, Maruti and ICICI Bank have advanced 1.5% each to Rs 1,443, Rs 960 and Rs 688, respectively.

Cipla and Dr.Reddy's have gained 1.3% each at Rs 264 and Rs 747, respectively.

Tata Steel, Ranbaxy and Hindalco are up 1% each.
 
Hero Honda and Wipro have slipped 1% each to Rs 780 and Rs 521, respectively.

Out of 2,502 stocks traded so far, 1,443 have advanced, 977 have declined and the rest are unchanged.