IT index holds in a negative market

The Sensex continues to trade in the red in a narrow range of 100 points with the Sensex  shedding 107 points at 18,576 and the Nifty losing 38 points at 5,566. The situation in the broader markets have not improved either. The midcaps and the smallcaps are shedding 1.5% each underperforming the Sensex down 0.6%

Among the sectoral indices, IT and FMCG continues to be the only sectors trdaing in the green, gaining 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. On the other hand, Auto, Realty, Capital Goods, Consumer Durables and Health Care have shed 2% each and are tha major sectoral losers.

Infosys, ONGC, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank and ITC up 1% each are the top gainers on the Sensex in an otherwise negative market.

Tata Motors, BHEL and Mahindra & Mahindra down nearly 4% each are the major Sensex losers followed by DLF, Jaiprakash Associates, Hero Honda, Maruti Suzuki, Jindal Steel and L&T shedding 1% each.

The market breadth is negative. 1743 stocks have declined while 696 have advanced.