Sensex down 160pts; NTPC up 2%

The Sensex is now down 160 points at 11,675.

Earlier in the day, the Sensex slumped to a low of 11,345 - down 490 points in early trades following Sebi's order on the IPO scam. However, it recovered most of its losses and touched a high of 11,803.

The BSE Metal index has slumped 3.4% to 10,117. The Consumer Durables index has dropped 2.7% to 3,300, and the FMCG index is down over 2% at 2,250.

Cipla has plunged over 5% to Rs 247. Hindalco has dropped 3.5% to Rs 210, and Tata Steel has declined 2.6% at Rs 622.

HLL has shed 3% to Rs 279. Grasim is down nearly 3% at Rs 2,300.

NTPC has surged 1.7% to Rs 132. ACC and Bharti Tele are up nearly 1% each at Rs 944 and Rs 406, respectively.

Out of 2,364 stocks traded so far, 1,637 have declined, 681 have advanced and 46 are unchanged.