Sensex regains 17k

The volatile Sensex has recovered partially owing to gain in strength in IT and healthcare stocks. The index is now at 17,000, up 130 points and the NSE Nifty is at 5,099, up 50 points.

Among the Sensex-30 stocks, Jaiprakash Associates has slipped 5% to Rs 133 and Sterlite Industries has declined 4.5%, respectively.

Reliance Infrastructure, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Hero Honda are down 2-3%, respectively.

While Bharti Airtel has added 2.5% each to Rs 296 and Mahindra & Mahindra is up 1%, respectively.

The market breadth is negative, out of 2,895 shares traded, 1,906 have declined and 906 have advanced so far on the BSE.

Among the sectoral indices, metal and the realty indices continue to languish, down 2% each while IT and healthcare is up 0.5% each.