Markets firm; BHEL, Larsen & Toubro weak

The NSE Nifty is up 44 points at 4,137.

Ranbaxy has soared 4.5% to Rs 457, and Cipla has zoomed 4% to Rs 224.

SBI and HDFC Bank have rallied 3.5% each to Rs 1,345 and Rs 1,068, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever has gained 3% at Rs 226. ICICI Bank and NTPC have moved up 2.7% each to Rs 635 and Rs 178, respectively.

Jaiprakash Associates had advanced over 2% to Rs 164. TCS has added 1.4% to Rs 806.

Reliance Communications and Tata Steel are up 1% each at Rs 440 and Rs 599, respectively.

Satyam and Ambuja Cements have plunged 3.5% each to Rs 370 and Rs 80, respectively.

Bharti Airtel and BHEL have slipped over 3% each to Rs 776 and Rs 1,483, respectively. Larsen & Toubro has shed 2% at Rs 2,495.

Out of 2,529 stocks traded so far, 1,399 have declined, 1,050 have advanced and 80 are unchanged.