Sensex extends losses, down 332pts

The Sensex is now down 332 points at 18,958.

ONGC and HDFC Bank have plunged 3.5% each to Rs 1,244 and Rs 1,559, respectively. ICICI Bank has slipped over 3% to Rs 1,165.

SBI has tumbled nearly 3% to Rs 2,203. Wipro, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications have dropped 2% each to Rs 467, Rs 882 and Rs 712, respectively.

BHEL, Tata Steel, Grasim and Tata Motors are down around 1.5% each at Rs 2,775, Rs 846, Rs 3,555 and Rs 711, respectively.

ACC has soared 3.5% to Rs 1,063. Hindustan Unilever and Hindalco has surged nearly 2% each to Rs 196 and Rs 192, respectively.

Reliance Energy has gained 1.6% at Rs 1,848.

Out of 2,741 stocks traded so far, 1,642 have declined, 1,033 have advanced and 66 are unchanged.