Sensex down 16pts, L&T drops 3.5%

The Sensex, opened 19 points higher at 9903, but could not move an inch higher thereafter as selling soon emerged.

Profit-taking in early deals saw the index slip to a low of 9762 - down 141 points from the day's open. The index is now down 16 points at 9868.

Larsen & Toubro has dropped 3.5% to Rs 2,041.

Gujarat Ambuja has shed 1.7% to Rs 90. HDFC Bank, TCS and SBI have declined around 1.5% each to Rs 721, Rs 1,664 and Rs 757, respectively.