Sensex down 244pts; NTPC drops 2%

The Sensex is now down 244 points at 14,291.

Tata Motors and SBI have tumbled 3.7% each to Rs 684 and Rs 1,384, respectively.

Tata Steel, Reliance and BHEL have dropped 3.5% each to Rs 619, Rs 1,685 and Rs 1,335, respectively.

ICICI Bank, ONGC and Maruti have shed 3% each to Rs 910, Rs 867 and Rs 776, respectively.

NTPC and HDFC have declined 2.8% each to Rs 155 and Rs 1,845, respectively.

Hindalco up nearly 2% at Rs 149.

Out of 2,568 stocks traded so far, 1,694 have declined, 797 have advanced and 77 are unchanged.