Sensex down 23pts; ITC, Grasim surge 4%

The Sensex is now down 23 points at 19,762.

ITC has soared 4.3% to Rs 198. Grasim has surged 4% to Rs 3,765.

Dr.Reddy's and ACC have rallied over 2% each to Rs 613 and Rs 1,066, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has moved up 1.4% to Rs 729, and Reliance has added 1% to Rs 2,900.

Ranbaxy has shed 2.5% at Rs 413. Infosys and Satyam have slipped 1.3% each to Rs 1,631 and Rs 423, respectively.

Larsen & Toubro and Tata Steel have declined 1.2% each to Rs 4,451 and Rs 851, respectively.

ICICI Bank, TCS and Hindustan Unilever are down 1% each at Rs 1,235, Rs 969 and Rs 198, respectively.

Out of 2,717 stocks traded so far, 2,014 have advanced, 662 have declined and 41 are unchanged.