Sensex extends gains; M&M zooms 9%

The Sensex has firmed up and is now up 87 points at 8,844.

Mahindra & Mahindra has zoomed 8.5% to Rs 374. Jaiprakash Associates has soared nearly 7% to Rs 76, and Tata Motors has surged nearly 4% to Rs 168.

Ranbaxy and SBI have rallied over 3% each to Rs 143 and Rs 983, respectively. DLF has gained nearly 3% at Rs 157.

ICICI Bank has moved up 2.5% to Rs 317. Reliance and ITC have advanced over 2% each to Rs 1,311 and Rs 169, respectively.

Reliance Infrastructure has slumped over 3% to Rs 452. Sun Pharma has slipped over 2% to Rs 1,000.

Maruti and HDFC have shed 1.5% each at Rs 702 and Rs 1,362, respectively. Infosys has declined 1% to Rs 1,283.

The market breadth is positive - out of 2,326 stocks traded so far, 1,326 have advanced, 911 have declined and the rest are unchanged.