Sensex eases; banking, tech stocks weak

The Sensex, which edged past the 6,600-mark in early trades, has lost ground owing to correction in old and new economy stocks, with buying restricted to select counters. It is now down 17 points at 6,567. The Nifty is weak at 2,053 - down three points.

ITC is down a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 1,275, and HLL is down a rupee at Rs 144. Reliance, however, is still steady at Rs 536 - up Rs 2.

Infosys (down Rs 10 to Rs 2,156) and Wipro (down Rs 6 to Rs 685) are exhibiting weak trend. Satyam is down a rupee at Rs 404.

HDFC Bank is down a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 561. SBI and ICICI Bank are trading a rupee lower each at Rs 658 and Rs 381, respectively.

ONGC is up Rs 2 at Rs 809.

Cipla has shed 2% (Rs 6) to Rs 266. Ranbaxy and Dr. Reddy's are marginally up at Rs 1,029 and Rs 731, respectively.

Bharti, after a steady positive opening, has lost 1.19% (Rs 3) to Rs 216. While BHEL has declined 1.42% (Rs 12) to Rs 840, Reliance Energy is down a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 552.