Sensex down 99pts; NTPC plunges 5%

The Sensex touched a low of 17,619 - down 364 points from the day's high - and is now down 99 points at 17,674.

NTPC has plunged nearly 5% to Rs 204.

ACC has slumped 3.5% to Rs 1,135. SBI has shed 2.7% to Rs 1,814.

ONGC, Tata Steel and Cipla have slipped around 2.5% each to Rs 943, Rs 813 and Rs 184, respectively.

Ranbaxy and ITC have dropped 2% each to Rs 424 and Rs 175, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Dr.Reddy's, ICICI Bank and Hindalco have declined 1.7% each to Rs 738, Rs 642, Rs 1,019 and Rs 166, respectively.

Tata Motors and Ambuja Cements are down around 1.5% each at Rs 768 and Rs 145, respectively.

HDFC Bank has gained nearly 2% at Rs 1,427. BHEL has surged 1.5% to Rs 2,187.

Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and Satyam are up over 1% each at Rs 1,005, Rs 652 and Rs 449, respectively.