Sensex dips 22 pts in early trades

The Sensex opened five points higher over its last close at 6,594, but shed ground owing to weakness in tech, banking, select heavyweights and other old economy counters. After touching an early low of 6,565, the Sensex is down 22 points at 6,567. The Nifty is down a point at 2,057.

Infosys has lost a per cent (Rs 22) to Rs 2,140 in early trades. While Satyam, too, is down a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 401, Wipro has shed 1.21% (Rs 8) to Rs 675.

HPCL has shed 2.31% (Rs 8) to Rs 340.

HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are down Rs 2 each at Rs 558 and Rs 373, respectively. SBI, however, is up Rs 2 at Rs 683.

ITC is down Rs 4 at Rs 1,280. Reliance (up Rs 2 to Rs 541) has commenced in the green, while HLL is marginally up at Rs 145.

Hindalco has slipped a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 1,358, while ONGC is up Rs 2 at Rs 812.

Auto, cement and pharma counters, too, have largely commenced weak.