Sensex drops 50 pts in early trades

The Sensex opened three points lower over its yesterday's close at 6,170. Across-the-board weakness saw the index slip deep into the red to touch an early morning low of 6,118. It is now down 50 points at 6,123.

The Nifty, too, has commenced weak and is down 16 points at 1,911.

ITC has lost a per cent (Rs 12) to Rs 1,229. While Reliance has commenced weak at Rs 511 (down Rs 2), HLL is down a rupee at Rs 141.

Infosys has opened weak with a per cent loss (Rs 18) at Rs 1,938. While Wirpo has declined 1.44% (Rs 10) to Rs 677, Satyam has lost 1.27% (Rs 5) to Rs 354.

HDFC Bank has lost 1.68% (Rs 9) to Rs 510, and SBI is down a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 576.

Hero Honda has slipped 1.86% (Rs 10) to Rs 534. While Maruti has declined 1.79% (Rs 7) to Rs 400, Tata Motors is down Rs 3 at Rs 458.

Pharma and cement stocks, too, have eased on selling pressure.