Sensex down 321pts; REL, NTPC drop

The Sensex is now down 321 points at 18,731.

Reliance Energy has slumped 6.5% to Rs 1,780, and NTPC has plunged 5.7% to Rs 218.

ACC has dropped 5% to Rs 1,204. Mahindra & Mahindra, SBI and Reliance Communications have tumbled over 4% each to Rs 780, Rs 1,843 and Rs 730, respectively.

Tata Steel and BHEL have shed 2.7% each to Rs 874 and Rs 2,309, respectively.

HDFC, Bajaj Auto, Cipla and HDFC Bank are down around 3% each at Rs 2,490, Rs 2,560, Rs 179 and Rs 1,461, respectively.

TCS has surged 3% to Rs 1,100. Infosys has gained 1.4% at Rs 1,895.

Out of 2,564 stocks traded so far, 1,810 have declined, 703 have advanced and 51 are unchanged.