Sensex down 19 pts, SBI firm

The market after initial fluctuations has settled into the negative territory following weakness in heavyweights, banking and other select counters.

Although selective buying is seen in tech and auto stocks, the Sensex is weak at 7,285 - down 19 points. The Nifty, too, has slipped into the red from its early gains, and is now down six points at 2,215.

The market breadth, however, is firm, with 1,373 scrips advancing against 873 stocks declining on the BSE.

ONGC has dropped 1.39% (Rs 13) to Rs 928, after opening at higher levels. Reliance Industries has slipped a per cent (Rs 4) to Rs 635.

HDFC Bank has shed 1.59% (Rs 10) to Rs 647, while ICICI Bank is down a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 463. SBI, however, has advanced 2% (Rs 14) to Rs 732, with a volume of over 5.40 lakh.

HDFC is down 1.11% (Rs 10) at Rs 891, and L&T is down a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 1,240. Tisco, too, is trading weaker at Rs 356 - down Rs 4. The counter has registered a volume of over 4.97 lakh.

Satyam is down a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 493, and TCS is trading marginally lower at Rs 1,283. While Wipro has moved up 1.66% (Rs 12) to Rs 713, Infosys has rolled back into the green to Rs 2,224 - up Rs 4.

Hero Honda has gained 1.72% (Rs 10) to Rs 618, and Maruti is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 460. Tata Motors, however, has lost 1.23% (Rs 6) to Rs 461.

ACC has moved up 2.53% (Rs 11) to Rs 432. Other cement stocks are up with steady gains.

VSNL continues to notch up significant gains, and has shot up 7.87% (Rs 26) to Rs 355.

Select capital goods stocks have firmed up in mid-morning trades. Graphite India has surged 10.90% (Rs 23) to Rs 234, while ESAB has jumped 6.37% (Rs 16) to Rs 266. While HMT has added 3.67% (Rs 2) to Rs 52, Grindwel is up 3.19% at Rs 334.