The markets are on a downhill, touching a new intra-day low of 18,206, down 102 points from the day's opening levels. The Sensex is at 18179, lower by 139 points and the Nifty is down 39 points at 5465. The smallcap and midcap indices (down 1.1% each), are underperforming the benchmark index (which is down 0.5%).
The Asian markets too have extended their losses. The Hang Seng has slipped 0.4% at 20,570 and Nikkei is down 1.7% at 8,836.
Among the sectoral indices, FMCG up 0.1% and IT index marginally up at 0.07%, are the only indices in the green. The realty and metal indices have extended their loses and are down 2.3% and 1.8% respectively. Initial gainers, Oil & Gas, Teck, capital goods and power have shed 0.3% each. In the FMCG space, Nestle India and Ruchi Soya gaining 0.6% each, followed by Godrej Constructions, Hindustan Unilever up 0.4% are the major movers.
TCS (Rs 875) up 0.7% is the top gainer on the Sensex. ONGC (RS 1280) and Hindustan Unilever (Rs 270) adding 0.5% each,ACC(Rs 869) and ITC (Rs 160) gaining 0.4% are the other significant gainers.
Tata Steel (Rs 494) and Hindalco (Rs 162) down 3% each are the major losers on the Sensex. DLF (Rs 315), Bharti Airtel (Rs 315),Tata Motors (Rs 988) shedding 2% each are the other prominent losers.
Market breadth remains negative. 1970 stocks have declined as compared to 744 advances.