Sensex up 167pts; HUL, Bajaj Auto rally

The Sensex is now up 167 points at 17,926.

The NSE Nifty is up 59 points at 5,227.

ONGC has soared 5.5% to Rs 1,022. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has surged 4.5% to Rs 205, and Bajaj Auto has rallied 3.8% to Rs 2,355.

Bharti Airtel has advanced nearly 3% to Rs 877. Reliance has gained 2.6% at Rs 2,534.

Tata Motors has moved up 2% to Rs 710. Infosys has added 1.7% to Rs 1,518.

Ranbaxy, Maruti, Ambuja Cements and Reliance Communications are up around 1.5% each at Rs 361, Rs 855, Rs 120 and Rs 621, respectively.

Hindalco has plunged 4% to Rs 169. HDFC has dropped 2.3% to Rs 2,826.

DLF and ACC are down 1% each at Rs 854 and Rs 790, respectively.

Out of 2,666 stocks traded so far, 1,533 have declined, 1,079 have advanced and 54 are unchanged.