Markets soft in morning trades

Markets are trading on a flat note this morning ahead of results from big-weight TCS.

The Sensex touched a low of 17,873 on opening but managed to recover and touch a high of 17,979. However, the index has been trading on a flat note thereafter, and is now down marginally at 17,919.

The Nifty is flat at 5,384.

DLF has dropped 1% to Rs 316. HDFC and HDFC Bank have dropped 1% each to Rs 3,048 and Rs 2,069, respectively.

BHEL is down 1% at Rs 2,440. TCS is soft ahead of its results at Rs 768 - down 0.8%.

Reliance Communications, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hero Honda have also dropped in early trades.

Meanwhile, Hindustan Unilever has gained 1.5% at Rs 262. Tata Steel has added 1.2% to Rs 512.

Tata Power and Reliance have advanced 1% each.

BSE market breadth is positive. Out of 2,502 stocks traded, 1,473 have advanced while 938 have declined.