The Sensex opened 12 points higher at 6,557, and remained in positive territory through the trading session.
While the market remained steady in the first half on selective buying support, the Sensex gained momentum in mid-noon trades to touch an intra-day high of 6,614 on hectic buying support, particularly, in old economy stocks.
The Sensex, however, came off its highs on profit-taking in select stocks, and ended 49 points higher at 6,594. The Nifty moved up 16 points to 2,071.
While 20 Sensex stocks advanced, 10 declined on Wednesday. Advancing shares accounted for a volume of 1.09 crore amounting to Rs 529.73 crore, and declining shares registered a volume of 21 lakh for Rs 70.59 crore.
SBI appreciated by 2.71% (Rs 17) to Rs 652. While HDFC Bank flared up 3.12% (Rs 18) to Rs 588, ICICI Bank was up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 367.
HPCL surged 4.48% (Rs 16) to Rs 372. While BHEL added 1.96% (Rs 15) to Rs 799, L&T notched up 2.90% gains (Rs 28) to Rs 996. Zee shot up 3% (Rs 5) to Rs 156. Reliance clocked a per cent gain (Rs 4) to Rs 537. ITC at Rs 1,328 (up Rs 7) ended with steady gains, while HLL closed up a tad at Rs 160. ONGC was up Rs 4 at Rs 824.
Maruti advanced 4.46% (Rs 21) to Rs 488, and Tata Motors gained 1.57% (Rs 8) to Rs 500. Bajaj and Hero Honda, however, ended with marginal losses at Rs 1,072 and Rs 528, respectively.
Infosys (up Rs 2 to Rs 2,043) and Satyam (up Rs 3 to Rs 406) failed to perk up and ended with modest gains. Wipro, however, was down a rupee at Rs 691. ACC moved up 1.24% (Rs 5) to Rs 374. Grasim at Rs 1,350 (up Rs 9) and Gujarat Ambuja (up Rs 3 to Rs 456) also ended with steady gains.
Bharti dropped 2.54% (Rs 5) to Rs 209, while Tata Power was down a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 392.
Sensex steady
The market has steadied towards the closing hours, after a sharp rally in early noon trades saw the index surge past the 6,600 mark on strong buying in old economy counters.
The Sensex is now up 52 points at 6,597, while the Nifty has gained 16 points to 2,071.
SBI is trading firm with a gain of 2.50% (Rs 16) at Rs 651. While HDFC Bank has flared up 2.94% (Rs 17) to Rs 587, ICICI Bank is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 366.
HPCL has soared 4.13% (Rs 15) to Rs 371. While BHEL has gained 2% (Rs 16) to Rs 799, L&T has surged 3% (Rs 30) to Rs 998. ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 825. Zee has gained nearly 2% to Rs 154. Reliance is up Rs 3 at Rs 536. While ITC is up a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 1,329, HLL is up a rupee at Rs 161.
Infosys (up Rs 9 to Rs 2,050) and Satyam (up Rs 4 to Rs 406) are trading with steady gains. Wipro, however, is trading a tad lower at Rs 691.
ACC is up 1.20% (Rs 4) at Rs 374. Grasim and Gujarat Ambuja are also up a per cent each at Rs 1,350 and Rs 456, respectively.
Bharti (down Rs 5 or 2.35% to Rs 210), however, continues to languish in negative territory.
Sensex breaches 6600-mark
The market-mood has turned buoyant in the afternoon trades as buying has spruced up in old and new economy stocks.
The Sensex, which clocked a high of 6,605, has advanced 56 points to 6,601 in current trades. The Nifty has moved up 28 points to 2,073.
Reliance has added Rs 5 to Rs 538. ITC and HLL are up a per cent each at Rs 1,330 and Rs 162, respectively.
SBI has inched up by 1.57% (Rs 10) to Rs 645. HDFC Bank is trading higher with a 2.24% gains (Rs 13) at Rs 583, while ICICI Bank is still up a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 365.
HPCL has moved up 3.14% (Rs 11) to Rs 367. BHEL has advanced 2.20% (Rs 17) to Rs 801. L&T has attracted considerable buying support, and has gained 2.80% (Rs 27) to Rs 995.
Maruti has flared up nearly 4% (Rs 18) to Rs 485. While Tata Motors has gained 1.35% (Rs 7) to Rs 499, Bajaj is trading off-lows with a per cent gain (Rs 6) at Rs 1,080.
ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 7) at Rs 827, while Infosys is trading with a small gain of Rs 6 at Rs 2,047.
Bharti, however, is still lacklustre at Rs 212 - down Rs 3, while Hindalco, after a positive opening, has slipped into the red to Rs 1,374 - down Rs 9.
Sensex @ 1130 hrs
The Sensex has gained 44 points to 6,589 following gains in old and new economy stocks. The Nifty has added 14 points to 2,069.
Reliance (up Rs 2 to Rs 536) and ITC (up Rs 7) are trading with steady gains.
HLL is marginally down at Rs 159 after a steady opening.
SBI has logged 1.47% gains (Rs 9) to Rs 644. HDFC Bank has gained 1.80% (Rs 10) to Rs 580, while ICICI Bank is up 1.14% (Rs 4) at Rs 367.
Infosys (up Rs 8 to Rs 2,049) and Satyam (up Rs 4 to Rs 406) are marginally up, while Wipro is up a rupee at Rs 693.
HPCL is steady with a gain of 2.16% (Rs 8) at Rs 364, while ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 7) at Rs 827.
L&T has jumped 2.43% (Rs 23) to Rs 992. BHEL has moved up nearly 2% (Rs 15) to Rs 799. Tisco and Tata Power are trading with a per cent gain each at Rs 400 and Rs 398, respectively.
Bharti, however, has shed 2% (Rs 4) to Rs 210.
Sensex @ 10.30 hrs
After a late bargain hunting on the bourses yesterday, the Sensex opened 11 points higher over its yesterday's close at 6,5556. Sustained buying in old and new economy stocks lifted the index to an early high of 6,589. It is now up 43 points at 6,588.
The Nifty, too, has firmed up in early trades, and has added seven points to 2,062.
Reliance is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 536. ITC has gained Rs 5 to Rs 1,326. HLL is up a notch at Rs 160, after remaining subdued through the session yesterday.
SBI has gained 1.30% (Rs 8) to Rs 643. While HDFC Bank has added 1.53% (Rs 9) to Rs 579, ICICI Bank is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 366.
Infosys has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 14) to Rs 2,055. While Satyam, too, is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 406, Wipro is up Rs 3 at Rs 695.
ONGC is up a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 825.
HPCL has added 1.59% (Rs 6) to Rs 362, while BHEL is up a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 792. L&T has advanced 2.26% (Rs 22) to Rs 990.