US indices end weak, VSNL jumps 4%

Despite a 3% slide in oil prices, the US markets failed to log gains on the first trading session of the new year 2005. While Dow Jones dropped 54 points to 10,729, the Nasdaq lost 23 points to close at 2,152.

Indian floats, too, failed to cheer the markets and largely ended with losses. Tech majors - Infosys, Wipro and Satyam - ended with marginal losses at $69.16, $24.61 and $23.95, respectively.

ICICI Bank and Dr. Reddy's also ended weak at $19.77 and $19.72, respectively. VSNL, however, advanced 4.18% to $10.71, and HDFC Bank was up a per cent at $45.74.