Sensex ends up 35pts

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) at 17,396 - up 35 points.

The Nifty has ended (provisional) at 5,186 - up seven points.
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(Updated at 1451 hrs)

The markets have held on to their gains in the past hour, thanks to strength in consumer durables, power and metals. The Sensex is quoting near its day's high at 17,474, stronger by 114 points, and the Nifty is comfortably placed at 5,211, up 33 points. The mid-cap and small-cap indices have also added about 1% each.

The leading Sensex gainers are Reliance Infra (stronger by Rs 37 or 3.4% at Rs 1,138), HDFC (higher by Rs 60 or 2.2% at Rs 2,712) and Bharti (up Rs 7 or 2.2% at Rs 328). Hindalco and ICICI Bank are the other major gainers.

Wipro is the top loser on the Sensex, weakening by Rs 13 or 2% at Rs 680. ONGC has shed Rs 16 or 1.3% at Rs 1181 and Sun Pharma has lost Rs 15 or 0.9% at Rs 1,548.

The market breadth is strong. Out of 2,832 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,938 advancing stocks as against 843 declines.