Sensex down 13 pts, cement stocks rise

After a slightly volatile opening and a subseqent fall in early trades, the market is still exhibiting weak trends owing to selling pressure in select heavyweights, tech, auto and pharma counters.

While buying has emerged in cement, banking and other select counters, the Sensex remains weak at 6,468 - down 13 points. The Nifty is unchanged from its early lows at 1,995 - down six points.

ITC has lost a per cent (Rs 15) to Rs 1,468, and Reliance is down a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 550. HLL, however, is up a rupee at Rs 134.

Infosys has slipped a per cent (Rs 14) to Rs 2,083. While Wipro, too, is trading weak at Rs 645, Saytam has gained 1.22% (Rs 5) to Rs 431. Over 14.43 lakh Satyam shares have changed hands on the BSE so far.

Dr. Reddy's is trading lower by 2.42% (Rs 16) at Rs 663, while Cipla is marginally down at Rs 274. Ranbaxy, however, is trading in the green at Rs 960 - up Rs 3.

Tata Motors has dropped 1.90% (Rs 8) to Rs 429. Hero Honda (down Rs 4 to Rs 546) and Maruti (down Rs 4 to Rs 436) are also exhibiting weak trends.

BHEL is down a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 834, and Zee is trading weaker by 1.30% (Rs 2) at Rs 152.

SBI at Rs 625 (up Rs 3) and ICICI Bank at Rs 385 (up Rs 2) are trading higher after a sluggish opening.

ACC, after a flat opening, has moved up 2.11% (Rs 8) to Rs 387. While Gujarat Ambuja is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 438, Grasim is trading with steady gains at Rs 1,150.

Hindalco has clocked a per cent gain (Rs 9) to Rs 1,228.

Select consumer durable stocks have firmed up in mid-morning trades. Su-raj Diamond has spurted 5.17% (Rs 2) to Rs 46. While Samtel Color has moved up 4.68% (Rs 5) to Rs 109, Videocon has gained 3.77% (Rs 2) to Rs 56. Whirlpool is up 2.55% at Rs 28, and BPL is up a per cent at Rs 47.