Sensex down 23 points; HDFC Bank advances 3%

The Sensex is now down 23 points at 9371. The Nifty is down seven points at 2836.

Ranbaxy continues to languish at Rs 357, down 2.9%.

Satyam at Rs 716, Hindalco at Rs 144 and TCS at Rs 1,698 have slipped over 2% each.

Maruti, Infosys, Tata Steel, Hero Honda, ICICI Bank, Grasim and Bajaj Auto are down over 1% each.

NTPC is firm at Rs 110, up 3.8%.

HDFC Bank has advanced over 3% to Rs 733.

Dr.Reddy's at Rs 966 and Wipro at Rs 465 are up over 2% each.

ACC and Gujarat Ambuja are up 1% each at Rs 562 and Rs 82.50, respectively.

Among other stocks, Archies has zoomed over 18% following the news that the company will open five new stores under its new brand of retail chain - 'STUPID CUPID'.

GMR Industries and R S Software have hit the 10% upper limit.