Sensex firm; DLF surges 5%

Strong opening of the European markets coupled with buying in the realty stocks have helped the Sensex to touch a high of 14,696. The index is now at 14,635 , up 141 points.

The BSE Realty index has soared 3% to 3,314.

DLF has adavanced 4.5% to Rs 325.

Tata Motors and Bharti Airtel have added 2.8% each to Rs 300 and Rs 825, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever and ICICI Bank have advanced over 2% to Rs 273 and Rs 737, respectively.

Sterlite, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro and Infosys are up 1.5% each.

Hindalco has slipped around 5% to Rs 82. ONGC and ACC are down 1% each at Rs 1,053 and Rs 760, respectively.

The market breadth is negative - out of 2,439 shares traded, 1,336 have declined and 1,004 have advanced so far on the BSE.