Sensex down 17 pts, Wipro firm

The Sensex, which opened with a loss of seven points at 6,339 and slumped to a low of 6,308, has curbed its losses in current trades following gains in select tech, cement and other old economy stocks. It is now down 17 points at 6,330 as weakness continues in select heavyweights and pharma majors.

The Nifty, too, has come off its early lows on stock-specific gains, and is now down seven points at 1,960.

Reliance, with a volume of over 21.41 lakh, is down a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 541. ITC and HLL are trading with marginal losses at Rs 1,987 and Rs 132, respectively.

Dr. Reddy's has dropped 2.76% (Rs 19) to Rs 663, and Cipla is down a rupee at Rs 243.

Bajaj has declined a per cent (Rs 9) to Rs 1,071. Other auto stocks, too, are exhibiting weak trends.

Infosys has slipped a per cent (Rs 11) to Rs 1,987. While Wipro has clocked 1.64% gains (Rs 11) to Rs 655, Satyam is up a rupee at Rs 406.

SBI, which has clocked a volume of over 14.64 lakh, is trading with a rupee gains at Rs 621. While HDFC Bank, too, is up a rupee at Rs 541, ICICI Bank is trading lower by a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 393.

Grasim, Gujarat Ambuja and ACC are up a per cent each at Rs 1,208 (up Rs 9), Rs 437 (up Rs 3) and Rs 379 (up Rs 3) at Rs 379, respectively.

Tisco is up with a small gain of Rs 2 at Rs 364, and has clocked a volume of over 22.21 lakh on the BSE.

Capital goods stocks have flared up on strong buying support. HMT has soared 14.65% (Rs 6) to Rs 45, and Alstom has spurted 10% (Rs 17) to Rs 184. Kirloskar Brothers, HEG, Atlas Copcol, Havell, Fag Bearing, Alstom Project, Siemens and Greaves Cotton have gained between 2-4%.

Consumer durable stocks, too, have firmed up. Su-raj Diamond has jumped 9.23% (Rs 4) to Rs 45, while BPL has notched up 5.75% gains (Rs 2) to Rs 43. Videocon, Whirlpool and Samtel Color are up in a range of 2-4%.

Select auto stocks, however, are trading at lower levels. Rane Brakes has slumped 6.30% (Rs 12) to Rs 173, and Kalyani Brakes has shed 5.13% (Rs 31) to Rs 582. Bajaj Tempo and Punjab Tractors are down nearly 2% each at Rs 287 and Rs 166, respectively. Amtek Auto, Hindustan Motors, Munjal Auto and Ceat are also trading with marginal losses.