Nifty holds 5150; ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Infosys lead

The NSE Nifty continued to trade above the 5150 level, though it shed some early gains due to fall in ONGC and Tata Motors. Even ITC, L&T and Reliance Industries came off day's high. However, banks, technology, power and metals stocks keep supporting the market.

The BSE benchmark moved up 91.52 points to 16,998.10 and the NSE benchmark was up 29.70 points at 5,150.50. The broader markets too gained 0.5% as about two shares advanced for every share falling on the National Stock Exchange.

Country's largest private sector lenders ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank climbed 1-1.5% while their rival State Bank of India rose 0.5%.

Top software services exporter Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys climbed nearly 1%. FMCG major ITC rose 0.65% whereas its rival HUL was down 0.32%.

Engineering and construction major by sales Larsen & Toubro moved up 0.7% and housing finance company HDFC gained 0.7%.

Oil & gas producer Reliance Industries was up just 0.3% whereas its rival ONGC went down 1%.

Top commercial vehicle maker Tata Motors fell 1.6% while other auto stocks were marginally lower.

In the second line shares, MindTree, Muthoot Finance, Shree Global, Strides Arcolab and Himadri Chemical gained 4-7% while Andhra Bank, Educomp Solutions, Infotech Enterprises, Gujarat Pipavav and Jubilant Foodworks lost 1-5%.