Sensex down 69pts; SBI, Rel Energy firm

The Sensex is now down 69 points at 18,423.

ONGC has slumped 4.5% to Rs 1,092. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors have plunged over 3% each to Rs 749 and Rs 771, respectively.

Wipro, Grasim and Infosys have shed around 2.5% each to Rs 479, Rs 3,605 and Rs 1,839, respectively.

BHEL has slipped over 2% to Rs 2,245. Dr.Reddy's, TCS, Bajaj Auto, ITC and Ranbaxy are down over 1% each at Rs 627, Rs 1,052, Rs 2,496, Rs 183 and Rs 421, respectively.

SBI and Reliance Energy have surged 3.5% each to Rs 1,878 and Rs 1,576, respectively.

Satyam has gained 2% at Rs 471, and Hindalco has advanced 1.8% to Rs 188.

Out of 2,622 stocks traded so far, 1,388 have advanced, 1,150 have declined, 84 are unchanged.