Sensex falters again, down 73 pts

The markets, on the back of fresh selling in old and new economy stocks, has eased in late noon deals, after a smart recovery led by buying in select old economy stocks saw the index erase most of its losses in early noon trades.

The Sensex has again slipped below the 6,400-mark, and is down 73 points at 6,386, while the Nifty has declined 21 points to 2,011.

ITC has lost 1.24% (Rs 16) to Rs 1,278. While HLL has slipped further by 1.97% (Rs 3) to Rs 142, Reliance is down a rupee at Rs 529.

Infosys has reversed its trend into the red with a loss of Rs 3 at Rs 2,049. While Wipro has dropped 2.29% (Rs 16) to Rs 690, Satyam has shed 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 382.

SBI, which held gains in early noon trades, has slipped back into the red to Rs 608 - down Rs 10 or 1.58%. While HDFC Bank has slumped 3.31% (Rs 16) to Rs 482, ICICI Bank is down 1.30% (Rs 5) at Rs 356.

ONGC has dipped 1.35% (Rs 11) to Rs 787.

Bajaj has lost 1.48% (Rs 16) to Rs 1,072, and Maruti is down 1.70% (Rs 8) at Rs 439. Tata Motors also is trading at lower levels at Rs 499 - down rs 5. Hero Honda (up Rs 9 or 1.59% to Rs 575) has erased its gains on profit-taking.

BHEL has scaled down 1.75% (Rs 13) to Rs 742. While Tata Power has declined 2.82% (Rs 11) to Rs 376, Reliance Energy is still up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 543.

Hindalco has tumbled nearly 3% (Rs 40) to Rs 1,327. While L&T has lost 1.39% (Rs 13) to Rs 944, Tisco has shed 2.29% (Rs 16) to Rs 690. Bharti, however, is up a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 212.