Sensex down 173pts; HLL sheds 4%

The Sensex is now down 173 points at 9825.

HDFC has dropped over 4% to Rs 1,009. HLL has shed 3.7% to Rs 214, and HDFC Bank has plunged 3.4% to Rs 712.

Satyam, Bharti Airtel and Tata Steel have tumbled 3% each to Rs 650, Rs 351 and Rs 463, respectively.

Dr.Reddy's has rallied over 3% to Rs 1,314.

The market breadth is slightly positive - out of 1,756 stocks traded so far, 871 have advanced, 841 have declined and 44 are unchanged.