Sensex down 282pts; breadth -ve

The Sensex is now down 282 points at 14,856.

Reliance Communications has slumped 3.5% to Rs 528. Larsen & Toubro, ICICI Bank and Hindalco have plunged 3.3% each to Rs 2,438, Rs 885 and Rs 157, respectively.

Maruti and Wipro have dropped around 3% each to Rs 825 and Rs 457, respectively.

BHEL has shed 2.7% to Rs 1,674, and ACC has tumbled 2.4% to Rs 979.

HDFC Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Ambuja Cements, Grasim and Reliance Energy have declined over 2% each.

Ranbaxy has moved up over 1% to Rs 370.

Out of 2,558 stocks traded so far, 1,595 have declined, 908 have advanced and 55 are unchanged.