Sensex down 160pts; L&T down 10%

The Sensex is now down 160 points at 15,815.

The NSE Nifty is down seven points at 4,764.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has slumped 10.3% to Rs 2,679. BHEL and Reliance Energy have tumbled 5.3% each to Rs 1,917 and Rs 1,203, respectively.

Maruti and HDFC have dropped over 4% each to Rs 893 and Rs 2,520, respectively. Satyam has shed 2% at Rs 415.

Bharti Airtel has surged 4% to Rs 781. Cipla, Tata Steel and ACC have soared 3% each to Rs 206, Rs 796 and Rs 757, respectively.

SBI and HDFC Bank have rallied 2.3% each to Rs 1,886 and Rs 1,316, respectively. Hindalco has gained 2% at Rs 200.

Out of 2,617 stocks traded so far, 2,109 have declined, 472 have advanced and 36 are unchanged.