Sensex flat; Aurobindo Pharma zooms 15%

From a high of 9690, the Sensex slipped into the negative zone to touch a low of 9613. The index is now unchanged at 9640.

Pharma stocks are in demand. Dr.Reddy's has gained 2.2% at Rs 1,043. Cipla at Rs 447 and Ranbaxy at Rs 375, are up 1.5% each.

Bharti Tele and Tata Power have rallied nearly 2% each to Rs 353 and Rs 455, respectively.

Satyam, SBI, Grasim, Larsen & Toubro and Infosys are on slippery gorund.

Aurobindo Pharma has soared 15% to Rs 511. Strides Arcolab has moved up nearly 5% at Rs 330. Biocon, Elder Pharma, Glenmark Pharma, IPCA Labs, Matrix, Nicholas Piramal, Orchid Chemicals, Sun Pharma, Unichem and Wyeth are up 1-2% each.

Out of 2,349 stocks traded so far 1,490 have adavanced, 799 have declined and the rest are unchanged.