Weakness continues... Sensex down 778pts

The Sensex is now down 778 points at 15,350.

The NSE Nifty is down 256 points at 4,616.

Asian markets closed - Shanghai Composite, Hang Seng, Nikkei, Taiwan, Straits Times and Seoul Composite - ended on a weak note down 2-5% each.

The European markets, too, have opened on a weak note - FTSE 100, CAC 40 and DAX - are down around 2.5% each.

Hindalco and DLF have slumped around 8.5% each to Rs 175 and Rs 653, respectively.

Reliance Energy has plunged over 8% to Rs 1,220. BHEL, Reliance Communications and Tata Steel have tumbled nearly 7% each to Rs 1,875, Rs 503 and Rs 715, respectively.

Wipro, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank have dropped over 6% each to Rs 365, Rs 825 and Rs 1,285, respectively.

NTPC, SBI and Bharti Airtel have slipped nearly 6% each to Rs 183, Rs 1,704 and Rs 765, respectively.

Reliance and Infosys are down around 5% each atRs 2,252 and Rs 1,317, respectively.

Out of 2,655 stocks traded so far, 2,292 have declined, 336 have advanced and 27 are unchanged.