Sensex slips again, down 18 pts

The market failed to hold on to its gains as fresh selling pressure in select old and new economy stocks has dragged the index back into the red.

The Sensex, which registered gains on healthy buying in heavyweights, has lost 18 points to 6,322 in current trades. The Nifty, too, has slipped into the red to 1,952 - down five points.

Infosys has shed 1.73% (Rs 34) to Rs 1,925, and Satyam is down 1.15% (Rs 5) at Rs 411. Wipro has reverted back into the red to Rs 638 - down Rs 4.

ICICI Bank has tumbled 3.74% (Rs 15) to Rs 388. SBI and HDFC Bank are up a rupee each at Rs 625 and Rs 539, respectively.

ONGC is down a per cent (Rs 6) at Rs 842. Hindalco (down Rs 7 to Rs 1,251), L&T (down Rs 8 to Rs 968), Bharti (down Rs 3 to Rs 203) and Tisco (down Rs 6 to Rs 353) continue to trade with losses.

ACC is down 1.33% (Rs 5) at Rs 366, and Gujarat Ambuja is trading weaker by Rs 2 at Rs 429.

HLL is trading firm with a gain of 3.15% (Rs 4) at Rs 142, while ITC has added 1.96% (Rs 27) to Rs 1,407. Reliance is trading off-highs at Rs 554 - up Rs 7 or 1.24%.

Cipla has gained 4.86% (Rs 12) to Rs 256, while Ranbaxy is marginally up at Rs 917. Dr. Reddy's is subdued with a per cent loss (Rs 4) at Rs 662.

Bajaj is up a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 1,091, and Hero Honda is up Rs 2 at Rs 507. Tata Motors is up Rs 3 at Rs 437. Maruti, however, has declined 1.44% (Rs 6) to Rs 425.