Sensex down 9 pts

The Sensex, after a flat opening and a subsequent fall, reported gains to touch a high of 6,568 in early trades. The market, however, failed to hold on to its gains as sharp selling pressure in tech, banking and other select old economy stocks dragged the index into the red. The Sensex, which touched a low of 6,502, is now down nine points at 6,526.

The Nifty has lost 11 points to 2,051.

ONGC has tumbled 2.40% (Rs 21) to Rs 873.

Infosys has scaled down 1.20% (Rs 27) to Rs 2,196. While Satyam has dropped 2.33% (Rs 9) to Rs 389, Wipro is down a rupee at Rs 673.

SBI has lost 1.57% (Rs 11) to Rs 682. HDFC Bank has slipped 1.32% (Rs 7) to Rs 543, and ICICI Bank is down a rupee at Rs 394.

HDFC has dropped 2.65% (Rs 20) to Rs 719, and L&T has shed 1.25% (Rs 13) to Rs 995. Tata Power is down 1.14% (Rs 4) at Rs 356. Zee has declined 1.53% (Rs 2) to Rs 135.

ITC, however, has climbed 1.18% (Rs 15) to Rs 1,289, while HLL has added 1.76% (Rs 2) to Rs 133. Reliance is up Rs 2 at Rs 546.

Bharti, after a nervous opening, has gained 1.27% (Rs 3) to Rs 215.

Dr. Reddy's has advanced 2.56% (Rs 19) to Rs 750, and Cipla has inched up by 1.31% (Rs 3) to Rs 267. Ranbaxy also is trading with decent gains at Rs 1,082 - up Rs 13 or 1.19%.

Grasim is up a per cent (Rs 12) at Rs 1,257, while Gujarat Ambuja has moved up 1.34% (Rs 5) to Rs 415.