Steep selling drags Sensex

Selling in late noon trades has intensified, with select heavyweights, tech and other old economy stocks bearing the major brunt. The Sensex has dropped 66 points to 6,552. The Nifty, too, has tumbled on all-round selling pressure, and has shed 20 points to 2,058.

Reliance has lost a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 531. HLL has inched lower by 1.66% (Rs 3) to Rs 163, while ITC, too, has slipped into the red to Rs 1,337 - down Rs 4.

Infosys has tumbled 2.15% (Rs 45) to Rs 2,036. While Wipro is down nearly 2% (Rs 13) at Rs 690, Satyam is up Rs 2 at Rs 406.

SBI is down a rupee at Rs 647. HDFC Bank (down Rs 3 to Rs 562) and ICICI Bank (down Rs 2 to Rs 363) are also trading with marginal losses.

ACC has dropped 2.30% (Rs 9) to Rs 367. While Grasim is down a per cent (Rs 11) at Rs 1,344, Gujarat Ambuja is trading a rupee higher at Rs 457.

Ranbaxy has declined 1.19% (Rs 13) to Rs 1,065. Dr. Reddy's and Cipla are also trading at lower levels at Rs 727 and Rs 280, respectively.

HDFC is trading lower by 2% (Rs 17) at Rs 799, while Hindalco has lost 1.14% (Rs 16) to Rs 1,373. Reliance Energy is down 1.54% (Rs 9) at Rs 571.

Bharti (up Rs 5 or 2% to Rs 222) and Tisco (up Rs 3 to Rs 401), however, are holding on to their gains.