Sensex recovers partially, down 255pts

The Sensex has recovered partially from the day's low of 19,796, and is now down 255 points at 19,996.

The NSE Nifty is now down 100 points at 5,974.

HDFC Bank has plunged over 5% to Rs 1,692. Tata Motors and Reliance Communications have tumbled 4% each to Rs 738 and Rs 746, respectively.

Reliance Energy and Hindalco have dropped 3.3% each to Rs 2,286 and Rs 191, respectively.

DLF and Maruti have shed 2.8% each at Rs 1,142 and Rs 843, respectively. Reliance has dropped 2.6% to Rs 3,078.

Tata Steel, NTPC and BHEL have slipped 2.3% each to Rs 832, Rs 268 and Rs 2,360, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra and Bharti Airtel are down over 2% each to Rs 720 and Rs 839, respectively.

TCS, however, has surged nearly 3% to Rs 965. Cipla has gained 1.5% at Rs 208.