Sensex ends up 256pts

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) at 17,109, up 256 points.

The NSE Nifty finally ended (provisional) at 5,079, up 72 points.
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(Updated at 1512hrs)

The Sensex is now at 1,7108, up 256 points.

The NSE Nifty is at 5,079, up 72 points.
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(Updated at 1411hrs)

The Sensex is placed at 17,070, up 217 points and the Nifty is quoting at 5053, higher by 46 points.

The leading Sensex gainers are SBI (up 3.5% at Rs 2165, Reliance Communications (higher by 3.2%) and ICICI Bank (firm by 3% at Rs Rs 891.

The major losers on the BSE are ONGC (shed 1.4% to Rs 1,168), Grasim (lost 0.9% to Rs 2,761) and Tata Motors (lower by 0.7% to Rs 586.

The main Nifty gainers are Axis Bank (higher by 4.1% at Rs 964), SBI (higher by 3.9% at Rs 2092) and ICICI Bank (stronger by 3.5% at Rs Rs 866).

The market breadth is strong. Out of 2,748 stocks traded on the BSE so far, there were 1,548 advancing stocks as against 1,121 declines.