Sensex down 44pts; Hindalco drops 3%

The Sensex is now down 44 points at 15,246.

Hindalco has shed 2.8% to Rs 174. Larsen & Toubro has plunged over 2% to Rs 2,341.

Tata Motors has slipped 1.7% to Rs 736. ONGC, Dr.Reddy's, Maruti and Satyam have shed 1.3% each to Rs 895, Rs 665, Rs 816 and Rs 482, respectively.

Bajaj Auto and Reliance Energy have advanced 1% each to Rs 2,245 and Rs 705, respectively.

Out of 2,610 stocks traded so far, 1,409 have declined, 1,128 have advanced and 73 are unchanged.