Sensex down 8 pts, RIL extend gains

After easing from its highs in mid-morning trades, the Sensex thereafter faltered further on sustained selling pressure to touch a low of 6,869.

The Sensex, though has come off its lows on selective tech and heavyweight buying, is now down eight points at 6,899. The Nifty is subdued at 2,126 - down three points.

ONGC has slipped a per cent (Rs 10) to Rs 926, while Reliance has moved up 1.31% (Rs 8) to Rs 582.

ICICI Bank has declined 1.86% (Rs 8) to Rs 424, while SBI is sluggish at Rs 686 - down Rs 3. HDFC Bank is still trading with a per cent gain (Rs 4) at Rs 595.

L&T has lost 1.45% (Rs 17) to Rs 1,125, and Bharti has minimised losses to Rs 236 - down Rs 4. Tisco, however, is up 1.22% (Rs 4) at Rs 344.

Dr. Reddy's has declined 1.27% (Rs 9) to Rs 728, and Ranbaxy is down a per cent (Rs 12) at Rs 1,058. Cipla is marginally down at Rs 287.

Infosys at Rs 2,268 (up Rs 10) and Satyam (up Rs 2 to Rs 483) are up with steady gains. TCS and Wipro are flat at Rs 1,273 and Rs 735, respectively.

Bajaj (up Rs 11 to Rs 1,237) is holding on to its gains. Other auto majors, however, are displaying weak trends.