Sensex down 57 pts, HLL up 3%

The market is still under the grip of a bear hug as weakness is still persistant in auto, select heavyweight, tech, cement and other old economy stocks. However, stock-speficic gains has seen the index come off its lows in late noon trades, and is now down 57 points at 6,126. The Nifty has lost 16 points to 1,909.

ITC at Rs 1,350 (down Rs 28 or 2%) and Infosys (down Rs 39 or 1.99% to Rs 1,922) are trading in narrow ranges, after slipping into the red in early trades. While Wipro has shed 3.77% (Rs 25) to Rs 649, Reliance is trading off-gains at Rs 511.

SBI is down a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 573. While HDFC Bank has shed 3.10% (Rs 16) to Rs 494, ICICI Bank is trading lower by 1.94% (Rs 7) at Rs 339.

Hindalco, on fresh selling pressure, has dropped 1.72% (Rs 22) to Rs 1,237. While HDFC (down Rs 23 or 3% to Rs 740) is still reeling under selling pressure, Hindalco has lost 2.70% (Rs 26) to Rs 925. Tata Power has declined 1.36% (Rs 6) to Rs 466.

Hero Honda has slumped nearly 4% (Rs 21) to Rs 516. Bajaj, which recouped from its early loss on buying support, has slipped a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 1,021 in current trades. Tata Motors is down 1.36% at Rs 466. Maruti, however, on better quarterly results, continues to trade with decent gains at Rs 409 - up Rs 15 or 3.70%.

HLL, in a bearish market sentiment, has attracted coniserable buying support. The counter has advanced 3.34% (Rs 5) to Rs 147.

While Satyam has moved up 3.22% (Rs 12) to Rs 371 on strong Q3 results, Tisco has gained nearly 3% (Rs 9) to Rs 361.

Dr. Reddy's at Rs 732 (up Rs 11 or 1.52%) and Cipla at Rs 276 (up Rs 5) are holding on to their gains. Ranbaxy, however, is marginally down at Rs 980.