Sensex dips 27 pts at close

A subdued trend prevailed in the first half of the trading session today. After opening five points higher over its last close at 6,486 and inching past 6,490-mark, the Sensex soon lost ground in early trades following weakness in select old and new economy stocks.

While the markets moved in a range of 20-30 points loss thereafter, stock-specific gains in early noon trades lifted the index from the lower levels to a high of 6,495.

However, the market soon drifted into negative territory, with the index tumbling to a low of 6,440 on a fresh spell of selling pressure in late trades.

The Sensex, after exhibiting six consecutive gains on a trot, finally ended 27 points lower at 6,455. The Nifty, too, ended in the red at 1,994 - down seven points.

Reliance tumbled 1.74% (Rs 10) to Rs 544. ITC slipped a per cent (Rs 11) to Rs 1,473. While ONGC clocked a per cent gain (Rs 7) to Rs 879, HLL finished marginally higher at Rs 133.

Infosys dropped 1.72% (Rs 36) to Rs 2,061. While Satyam gained a per cent (Rs 4) to Rs 430, Wipro ended marginally higher at Rs 648.

SBI lost a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 617, while HDFC Bank closed down a tad at Rs 539. ICICI Bank, however, jumped 2.57% (Rs 10) to Rs 393.

Tata Motors plunged 2% (Rs 9) to Rs 428. Hero Honda and Maruti were down a per cent each at Rs 547 and Rs 437, respectively.

Dr. Reddy's, which dropped sharply in early trades, ended 2.22% lower (Rs 15) at Rs 665. While Cipla was down a rupee at Rs 274, Ranbaxy bucked the downtrend and added 1.21% (Rs 12) to Rs 969.

Hindalco shed 1.55% (Rs 19) to Rs 1,201. While HDFC lost 1.10% (Rs 8) to Rs 734, L&T was down a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 1,014. Zee declined 1.72% (Rs 3) to Rs 151. Tata Power, however, gained 1.73% (Rs 6) to Rs 368.

Gujarat Ambuja advanced 2% (Rs 9) to Rs 444. While ACC moved up 1.64% (Rs 6) to Rs 385, Grasim was up a rupee at Rs 1,150.