Sensex down 284pts; Maruti, BHEL slip 3%

The Sensex is now down 284 points at 14,855.

Hindalco, Reliance Communications, ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro have dropped around 3.5% each to Rs 157, Rs 529, Rs 884 and Rs 2,437, respectively.

Maruti has tumbled nearly 3% to Rs 826, and BHEL has shed 2.7% to Rs 1,674.

Wipro has slipped 2.5% to Rs 458. Hindustan Unilever and HDFC Bank have declined 2.3% each to Rs 200 and Rs 1,127, respectively.

Satyam, NTPC, Grasim, ACC and Reliance Energy are down around 2% each.

Ranbaxy has gained 1.6% at Rs 372. Dr.Reddy's, too, has rebounded into the positive zone.

Out of 2,521 stocks traded so far, 1,599 have declined, 869 have advanced and 53 are unchanged.