Sensex extends gains

The Sensex has extended gains and is now at 16,105, up 63 points. The NSE Nifty is 21 points higher at 4,813.
________________________________________________

(Updated at 1206hrs)

The Sensex after attempting a minor recovery has again slipped into the red. The index is now at 15,999, down 42 points. The NSE Nifty is at 4,781, down 10 points.

Mahindra & Mahindra and Sun Pharmaceuticals are down 1.5% each at Rs 1,518 and Rs 975, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever, Larsen & Toubro, BHEL and SBI have declined 1% each to Rs 229, Rs 1,222, Rs 2,304 and Rs 1,930, respectively.

Hindalco is the top gainer, up 3.5% at Rs 139 and Jaiprakash Associates have added 2% at Rs 130, respectively.

Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, Grasim Industries and DLF are up 1% each.

The market breadth continues to be positive, out of 2,620 shares traded, 1,661 have advanced and 885 have declined so far on the BSE.

The BSE realty and the metal indices have advanced 2% each to 3,355 and 15,688, respectively.