Sensex down 53pts in early trades

The Sensex opened on a flat note at 15,770 - up 13 points. The index is now down 53 points at 15,704.

The NSE Nifty is down 17 points at 4,744.

Grasim and Larsen & Toubro have shed 1.8% each at Rs 2,580 and Rs 2,674, respectively.

ACC, TCS and Tata Steel are down 1% each at Rs 827, Rs 891 and Rs 673, respectively.

BHEL has moved up 1.8% to Rs 1,665. HDFC Bank has advanced 1.5% to Rs 1,322.

Ranbaxy has gained 1.3% at Rs 490, and Reliance Communications has added 1% to Rs 511.