Weakness persists... Sensex down 668pts

The Sensex is now down 668 points at 17,995.

The NSE Nifty is down 213 points at 5,270.

All index stocks are still in negative zone with losses in excess of 1% each.

Satyam has slumped over 7% to Rs 407. Wipro, Bharti Airtel and Infosys have tumbled over 6% each to Rs 426, Rs 879 and Rs 1,516, respectively.

TCS and Hindalco have plunged 5.5% each to Rs 897 and Rs 172, respectively.

ONGC has shed 5% at Rs 1,020. Maruti, Tata Motors and DLF have dropped around 4.5% each to Rs 833, Rs 722 and Rs 851, respectively.

Out of 2,655 stocks traded so far, 1,673 have declined, 936 have advanced and 46 are unchanged.