BPCL flared up 2.84 per cent to emerge the top gainer on the NSE near the mid-session on Thursday. At 11.30 am the scrip was trading at Rs 770 as against Rs 748.7 at close on Wednesday.
BHEL was on a firm footing, notching up gains of 2.22 per cent at Rs 241.90. The share had closed the overnight session at Rs 236.65.
UltraTech Cement held firm to quote at Rs 2,810. This represented a gain of 1.59 per cent on its previous close at Rs 2,766.
Larsen & Toubro gained 1.50 per cent at Rs 1,657.25 as against Rs 1,632.75 at close yesterday.
Bharti Airtel held firm, trading at Rs 400.55 as against Rs 395 at close yesterday. This was a gain of 1.41 per cent.
The Sensex and the Nifty were trading in the red on heavy selling by funds and retail investors ahead of the expiry of March series derivatives contracts later today. The Sensex was down 250 points at the 27,860 level, while the Nifty declined over 60 points to the 8,470 mark.