The Sensex recovered for a brief time and touched a high of 16,688. However, the index has once again slipped into the red and is now down 43 points at 16,738.
The Nifty is down 13 points at 4,974.
The BSE healthcare and consumer goods indices have gained 2% each. However, the IT, metal and Bankex are down around 1% each.
TCS and Infosys have dropped 1.5% each to Rs 590 and Rs 2,251, respectively. Sterlite, ICICI Bank, Hindalco, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank and ACC are down around 1% each.
Meanwhile Maruti Suzuki has added 1.5% to Rs 1,657. Sun Pharma, ONGC and Mahindra & Mahindra have advanced over 1% each.
The market breadth is fairly positive. Out of 2,399 shares traded 1,612 have advanced while 723 have declined.