The 30-share index having traded unexciting in the preceding trading hour, is presently trading in the positive zone. The stocks from auto and telecom led the declinations whereas banking stocks gained ground.

Anuj Anandwala, analyst, KJMC Capital Markets, said that improvement might continue on Monday but it will ultimately shrink in the later half. He anticipates banks to trade fine in Monday`s trading session.

Out of the total 2,123 shares traded at the BSE, 1,103 advanced, 971 declined while 49 remained unchanged.

Among the sectoral indices, BSE Auto declined 0.12%, BSE Metal declined 0.54%, BSE Realty declined 1.35%, while BSE Bankex rose 1.18%, BSE FMCG rose 0.78%.

Leaders at the BSE were Hindustan Unilever which rose 5.24% at Rs 206.75, SBI rose 3.63% at Rs 1,554.50 and Ambuja Cement rose 3.20% at Rs 129.05. Reliance Energy, Grasim, Cipla and Reliance Comm. also gained.

Laggards at the BSE were ITC, which declined 2.07% to Rs 168.25, Dr Reddy`s declined 1.39% to Rs 633.95 and BHEL declined 1.37% to Rs 1637.70. Infosys, Hindalco, Wipro and HDFC also slipped.