Sensex down 20 pts

Though buying has emerged in auto and select old economy counters, the market sentiment remains sluggish owing to broad-based weakness. The Sensex, as a result, is down 20 points at 6,564, while the Nifty is subdued at 2,048 - down eight points.

ITC has lost a per cent (Rs 13) to Rs 1,270, and HLL is down a rupee at Rs 144. Reliance is unchanged with a per cent gain (Rs 3) at Rs 538.

Infosys is down a per cent (Rs 14) at Rs 2,152. While Wipro has lost 1.15% (Rs 8) to Rs 683, Satyam is trading weaker by Rs 3 at Rs 402.

HDFC Bank (down Rs 4 to Rs 561) and ICICI Bank (down Rs 4 to Rs 378) continue to display weak trends. SBI, however, clocked a per cent gain (Rs 6) to Rs 664.

ONGC is still trading a per cent higher (Rs 5) at Rs 812.

Hero Honda has advanced 2.43% (Rs 13) to Rs 549. While Maruti has added 1.44% (Rs 7) to Rs 469, Tata Motors is up a rupee at Rs 479. Bajaj, however, is subdued at Rs 1,031 - down Rs 4.

Hindalco at Rs 1,355 (down Rs 19 or 1.35%), Bharti at Rs 215 (down Rs 3), BHEL at Rs 840 (down Rs 12 or 1.46%) and Reliance Energy at Rs 549 (down Rs 8 or 1.52%) continue to trade at lower levels.