Sensex ends up 134pts

Sensex has ended (provisional) at 17,478 - up 134 points.

The Nifty has ended (provisional) at 5,210 - up 39 points.
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(Updated at 1453 hrs)

The markets have slipped in late-noon trades. The Sensex is now quoting at 17462, higher by 118 points and the Nifty is at 5200, up 31 points.

Jaiprakash Associates (stronger by Rs 4 or 3.4% at Rs 147), SBI (higher by Rs 42 or 1.9% at Rs 2267) and Bhel (up Rs 37 or 1.5% at Rs 2398) are the leading Sensex gainers.

NTPC, which touched a 52-week high this morning, has given up some of its gains and is now merely 1% up.

DLF (weakened by Rs 3 or 0.8% to Rs 362) and Maruti (dropped by Rs 9 or 0.6% at Rs 1560) are the major losers. Reliance Infrastructure is trading flat, with a negative bias, consolidating its recent gains.

The market breadth is strong. Out of 2935 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1732 advancing stocks as against 1121 declines.