Sensex ends down 73pts

The Sensex ended (provisional) at 17,683 - down 73 points. Nifty ended (provisonal) at 5,312 - down 11 points.
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(Updated at 1454 hrs)

Markets pared morning gains as European shares declined in late noon trades.

The Sensex touched a low of 17,633 - down 123 points on weak cues from Europe. The index had earlier touched a high of 17,846 - up 213 points from the recent low. The Sensex is now down 95 points at 17,661.

The Nifty is down 28 points at 5,295.

All the sectoral indices, barring FMCG and capital goods, are in red. Bankex, realty, metal and auto lead the losers list.

Maruti Suzuki has shed 2% at Rs 1,376. TCS has dropped 2% to Rs 772.

Reliance Infrastructure and Jaiprakash Associates have slipped 1.7% each to Rs 1165 and Rs 128, respectively. DLF has declined 1% to Rs 289.

ICICI Bank, Sterlite and Reliance Communications have dropped 1.5% each.

Other losers in teh index include Hindalco, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Power, HDFC Bank, BHEL and Jindal Steel.

However, Larsen & Toubro has managed to hold on to some of its gains and is now up 1% at Rs 1,781. Hindustan Unilever has added 1% to Rs 269.

BSE market breadth, however, continues to be positive. Out of  2933 stocks traded, 1,534 have advanced while 1,301 have declined.