Sensex ends up 12 points

The markets saw a positive start on strong cues from Asian markets.

The Nifty touched a high of 5,266 by noon. However, the index started slipping soon after and managed to just stay above red. The index finally ended at 5,244 - up 15 points.

The Sensex ended up 12 points at 17,472. Top gainers in the Nifty 50, however are not part of the Sensex listed stocks. These stocks - HCL Tech and Axis Bank were the ones which helped the Nifty stay in green.

The Nifty junior jumped 0.7% to 10,950. Bank Nifty was up 1% at 9,552. Other gainers included the CNX Mid-cap index and the Nifty Midcap 50.

HCL Technologies soared 8.5% to Rs 375. The company's net profit rose 72 per cent at Rs 262.57 crore for the third quarter ended March 31, over the same period last year.

Axis Bank was the other top gainers and surged 4.5% to Rs 1,240 following the announcement of its quarterly numbers yesterday. The bank also took some strength as investors breathed a sigh of relief on the marginal increase in rates taken in the RBI credit policy meet yesterday.

Siemens  gained 3% at Rs 721. Reliance Power, Cipla, Power Grid and Maruti Suzuki added 2% each.

Punjab National Bank, Reliance Infrastructure and Unitech jumped 2% each to Rs 1,011, Rs 1,138 and Rs 85, respectively.

However, weakness was seen in Sun Pharma since morning. The stock dropped 3.2% to Rs 1,741. BHEL and Sterlite shed 1.5% each to Rs 2,456 and Rs 801, respectively.

Hindalco, ABB and Larsen & Toubro were the other top losers in the index today.