Sensex up 26 pts; Infosys, RIL turn weak

The Sensex, which slipped into the red to touch a low of 7,727 after registering over 60 points gain in the first half, is now up 26 points at 7,756. While profit-taking has trimmed gains in auto and banking counters, heavyweights and tech pivotals have lost ground owing to selling pressure.

The market breadth remains positive, with 1,721 gainers against 777 losers on the BSE so far.

Tata Motors is up 3.31% (Rs 16) at Rs 497. Bajaj (up Rs 8 to Rs 1,420), Hero Honda (up Rs 12 or 1.93% to Rs 638) and Maruti (up Rs 5 to Rs 484) have pared gains on profit-taking.

Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are up a per cent each at Rs 815 and Rs 326, respectively.

HDFC (up Rs 13 or 1.45% to Rs 923), L&T (up Rs 13 to Rs 1,333) and Tisco (up Rs 6 or 1.59% to Rs 405) have erased most of their gains.

ITC and Reliance have slipped a per cent each to Rs 1,727 (down Rs 10) and Rs 715 (down Rs 4), respectively. ONGC is marginally down at Rs 955.

ICICI Bank has pared gains to Rs 498 - up Rs 5 or 1.10%, while SBI is up a tad at Rs 808.

Infosys has dropped 1.12% (Rs 26) to Rs 2,289. Other tech pivotals are largely trading on a flat note.