BSE Sensex recovers in choppy trade; defensives gain

Reuters Market Eye - The 50-share Nifty is up 0.22 percent, after briefly breaking below its 200-day moving average earlier. The Sensex gains 0.26 percent.

Defensive stocks gain amid continued concerns about political stability that have sent indexes falling in each of the previous seven trading sessions.

ITC Ltd gains 1.5 percent, while Hindustan Unilever Ltd is up 2.2 percent.

However, other blue chips extend falls: Reliance Industries Ltd down 2.5 percent, while Larsen & Toubro Ltd falls 2.2 percent.

(Reporting by Abhishek Vishnoi)