Sensex drops 51 pts; selling widespread

The market in mid-noon trades has come under sharp correction, triggered by a slump in heavyweights, tech, pharma and other selet old economy stocks, thereby pushing the index below the 6,400-mark.

The Sensex, as a result, has dropped 51 points to 6,369.

The Nifty also has snapped gains, and has slipped below the 2,000 levels to 1,996 - down 19 points.

ITC has slumped 1.72% (Rs 22) to Rs 1,276. While Reliance is down a per cent (Rs 4) to Rs 536, HLL is trading in the gainers list at Rs 143 - up Rs 2.

Infosys has scaled down 1.72% (Rs 22) to Rs 1,276. While Wipro is trading lower by 1.90% (Rs 13) at Rs 686, Satyam has declined 1.79% (Rs 7) to Rs 380.

While Bharti has dropped 3.75% (Rs 8) to Rs 203, Tata Power is down 2.59% (Rs 10) at Rs 359.

Ranbaxy has tumbled nearly 3% (Rs 35) to Rs 1,166, and Dr. Reddy's is down 1.54% (Rs 12) at Rs 798.

HDFC Bank (up Rs 8 or 1.74% to Rs 498), however, is holding on to its gains.