Sensex down 18pts; cement stocks perk up

The Sensex dropped to a low of 10,207, and is now down 18 points at 10,226.

Grasim has surged 2.4% to Rs 1,673. ACC has spurted 2% to Rs 604. Gujarat Ambuja has added 1.5% to Rs 86.

SBI has advanced 1.6% to Rs 867. NTPC, BHEL, Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Energy have sputed over 1% each to Rs 133, Rs 1,915, Rs 2,320 and Rs 619, respectively.

ONGC has shed 1.8% to Rs 1,176, and Hero Honda is slipped 1.6% at Rs 894.

Dr.Reddy's, HDFC Bank and ITC have declined 1.5% each to Rs 1,342, Rs 711 and Rs 163, respectively.

Wipro (Rs 515), Satyam (Rs 772) and HLL (Rs 246) are down over 1% each.

The market breadth is almost neutral. Out of 2,089 stocks traded so far, 1,035 have declined, 979 have advanced and 75 are unchanged.

IFCI has soared over 7% to Rs 11.71. Uttan Galva, Suashis Diamond, Gujarat NRE, Rane Brake, Whirpool, Wockhardt, Gillette, Micro Inks, FACT, Andhra Bank, Bharat Electricals and Bank of Baroda are the other prominent gainers.

Alfa Laval has plunged 6% to Rs 1,006. Gujarat Gas, Nodia Toll, National Fertilisers, Unitech, Assam Company, Goodricke, Contianer Corporation, CMC and Hexaware are the other major losers.