Sensex below 18K, down 1,124pts

The Sensex is now down 1,124 points at 17,890.

ACC and Reliance Communications have slumped 8% each to Rs 796 and Rs 645, respectively.

NTPC, DLF and Tata Steel have plunged over 7% each to Rs 221, Rs 932 and Rs 725, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever has tumbled 6.5% to Rs 200. Hindalco, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra have slipped nearly 5.5% each to Rs 175, Rs 674 and Rs 690, respectively.

ICICI Bank, Cipla, BHEL and Bajaj Auto have declined around 5% each to Rs 1,181, Rs 192, Rs 2,190 and Rs 2,315, respectively.

ONGC and TCS have shed 4.5% each to Rs 1,155 and Rs 865, respectively.

Out of 2,754 stocks traded so far, 2,600 have declined, 139 have advanced and 15 are unchanged.