Pharma, cement stocks rally

Strong renewed buying in cement, pharma and other select old economy stocks has seen the index trim its losses from its early lows. Select heavyweights, tech and banking stocks are still exhibiting weakness owing to profit-taking.

The Sensex, as a result, is now down nine points at 6,611, while Nifty is weak at 2,072 - down seven points.

Reliance is down a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 535, and ONGC has inched lower by a per cent (Rs 8) to Rs 825.

Infosys has declined a per cent (Rs 19) to Rs 2,084. Satyam is trading with a per cent loss (Rs 2) at Rs 405. Wipro, however, continues to trade in the green at Rs 702 - up Rs 8.

SBI is still trading a per cent lower (Rs 7) at Rs 649. While ICICI Bank has lost 1.18% (Rs 4) to Rs 365, HDFC Bank is down Rs 2 at Rs 571.

While ITC is still up a per cent (Rs 13) at Rs 1,342, HLL is up a rupee at Rs 166.

Dr. Reddy's, on renewed buying support, has advanced 3.21% (Rs 23) to Rs 734. While Ranbaxy has lost a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 1,070, Cipla is up a tad at Rs 285.

ACC, on fresh buying support, has surged 3.28% (Rs 12) to Rs 375. While Grasim has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 11) to Rs 1,357, Gujarat Ambuja is up a rupee at Rs 459.

BHEL at Rs 786 (down Rs 10), Bharti at Rs 217 (down Rs 2) and L&T at Rs 978 (down Rs 12) are trading at subdued levels.