The Sensex closed at 5,546, down 15 points. The Nifty shed five points at 1,729. 

Reliance declined 1.5% (Rs 8) to Rs 502. While ITC gained a per cent (Rs 11) at Rs 1,185, HLL ended a tad lower at Rs 125.  Infosys slumped nearly 2% (Rs 31) to Rs 1,658. Wipro dropped 2% (Rs 12) to Rs 581, and Satyam closed a per cent (Rs 4) lower at Rs 376.

ICICI Bank advanced 1.4% (Rs 4) to Rs 279, and HDFC Bank was up Rs 3 at Rs 406. SBI, however, finished Rs 3 lower at Rs 477.

HPCL and ONGC gained Rs 6 each to Rs 333 and Rs 752, respectively.  Metal stocks were the major gainers today. Tisco spurted 1.8% (Rs 5) to Rs 285, and Hindalco was up Rs 16 at Rs 1,250.

Auto stocks exhibited a mixed trend. Tata Motors rallied over a per cent (Rs 6) to Rs 411, and Bajaj Auto was up Rs 5 at Rs 944. However, Maruti tumbled 2% (Rs 7) to Rs 351, and Hero Honda slipped over a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 453.

Grasim shed over 2% (Rs 25) to Rs 1,170. ACC and Gujarat Ambuja ended almost flat at Rs 344 and Rs 273, respectively.  Bhel pared gains towards the closing bell and finished Rs 4 higher at Rs 593. HDFC erased all its gains and ended Rs 2 lower at Rs 615.

Cipla gained nearly 2% (Rs 5) at Rs 275. While Dr.Reddy's declined over a per cent (Rs 9) to Rs 750, Ranbaxy, after being in positive zone for most part of the trading day, closed a rupee lower at Rs 1,081.

MTNL and Zee lost nearly 2% at Rs 126 and Rs 154, respectively. Bharti Tele was down Rs 2 at Rs 148.

The Sensex is down 10 points at 5,551, and the Nifty is at 1,730 - down four points.

Tisco is up nearly 3% (Rs 8) at Rs 287, and Hindalco has spurted 1.5% (Rs 18) to Rs 1,253.

Cipla, ITC, Tata Motors, Tata Power, ICICI Bank and Bhel are holding gains.

Infosys, Grasim, Satyam, Wipro and Zee have slipped ground.

Sensex @ 1433 hrs

Fresh selling pushed the Sensex back into negative zone. The Sensex has now slipped to an intra-day low of 5,540 - down 21 points. The Nifty has shed six points at 1,728.

Infosys has slipped 1.6% (Rs 27) to Rs 1,662, and Satyam is down Rs 3 to Rs 377. Wipro has recovered from lower levels, but is still down Rs 9 at Rs 584.

Tisco is firm at Rs 287, and Hindalco has moved up Rs 6 to Rs 1,241.

Cipla is up 2.4% (Rs 6) at Rs 277. While Ranbaxy has erased all its gains and is up a rupee at Rs 1,084, Dr.Reddy's has shed Rs 6 to Rs 753.

Auto stocks are exhibiting a mixed trend. Tata Motors and Bajaj Auto are holding gains at Rs 412 and Rs 946, respectively. Maruti has tumbled 1.6% (Rs 6) to Rs 352, and Hero Honda is down Rs 4 at Rs 454.

ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank have pared gains and are now trading at Rs 279 and Rs 406, respectively. SBI is down a rupee at Rs 480.

Cement stocks are under selling pressure. Grasim has shed 1.4% (Rs 17) to Rs 1,178. ACC and Gujarat Ambuja are unchanged at Rs 274 and Rs 344, respectively.

The Metal index is now up a per cent at 4,795, earlier it was up 2%. The BSE Auto index and BANKEX have also erased gains and are now almost flat at 2,321 and 2,697, respectively. The BSE TECk index has slipped 1.4% to 1,412.

SAIL has topped the volume chart on the BSE, and the counter has clocked a volume of around 1.17 crore shares followed by Maruti (35.25 lakh), Tisco (30.58 lakh), Tata Motors (26.92 lakh) and Welspun Gujarat (15.91 lakh).

Maruti tops the value chart with a turnover of Rs 127.20 crore on the BSE. It is followed by Tata Motors (Rs 110.09 crore), Tisco (Rs 89.08 crore), Reliance (Rs 70.64 crore) and Infosys (Rs 54.87 crore).

Sensex @1344 hrs:

The Sensex is moving in a range of 15-20 points, and is now up 11 points at 5,572. The Nifty is at 1,736 - up two points.

Reliance has extended losses and is now down 1.3% (Rs 7) to Rs 502. However, ITC and HLL are still trading firm at Rs 1,190 and Rs 127, respectively.

Infosys and Wipro are langushing at lower levels of Rs 1,665 and Rs 582, respectively. Satyam, however, has erased some losses but is still down Rs 2 at Rs 378.

ICICI Bank has rallied over 2% (Rs 6) to Rs 281, and HDFC Bank has gained over a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 407. SBI has pared gains and is now up a rupee at Rs 482.

Auto stocks are witnessing profit-taking at higher levels. Bajaj Auto and Tata Motors have pared some gains and are now trading at Rs 948 and Rs 412, respectively. Maruti and Hero Honda are in negative zones at Rs 357 and Rs 455, respectively.

Tisco has spurted over 3% (Rs 9) to Rs 288, and Hindalco is up Rs 2 at Rs 1,237.

HPCL has soared 2% (Rs 6) to Rs 334, and ONGC is up Rs 2 at Rs 749.

Bhel has pared some gains and is up Rs 7 at Rs 597. HDFC has erased most of its gains, but is still up a rupee at Rs 619.

ACC and Gujarat Ambuja are up Rs 2 each at Rs 276 and Rs 345, respectively. Grasim, however, is down Rs 10 at Rs 1,185.

The BSE Metal index has surged 2% to 4,837. The BSE BANKEX and FMCG index are up a per cent each at 2,718 and 949 respectively. The BSE TECk index continues to languish at lower levels of 1,416.

Videocon International has rallied nearly 8% (Rs 4) to Rs 53, and  Jaiprakash Associates has surged nearly 6% (Rs 8) to Rs 149. Wockhardt Life, Bharat Electricals, Sterlite Industries, VSNL, EIH, Indo Rama, Welspun Gujarat, Indian Rayon, Sterlite Optical, Exide, Alok Industries and Canara Bank have gained 3-5% each.

Container Corporation, Indian Overseas Bank, Union Bank, iGate Global, Essel Propack, HCL Technologies, National Fertilisers, Tata Infotech, ICI India, CMC, Corporation Bank, TVS Motors, Bharat Forge and UTI Bank are in declining mode.

Sensex @1258 hrs:

Selective buying saw the Sensex rise to a high of 5,586. The index is now at 5,574 - up 13 points. The Nifty is up a point at 1,735.

Reliance has declined a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 504. ITC and HLL are steady at Rs 1,187 and Rs 127, respectively.

Software stocks are witnessing fresh selling pressure. Infosys has shed 1.4% (Rs 24) to Rs 1,665, and Satyam is down a per cent at Rs 377. Wipro has slipped 1.6% (Rs 10) to Rs 583.

Tisco is trading firm at Rs 287, and Hindalco has moved back into positive zone and is up a rupee at Rs 1,236.

Auto, banking and pharma stocks are holding gains.

Samtel Color has gained 4.3% (Rs 2.70) at Rs 66.50 with a volume of around 3.85 lakh shares so far on the BSE. The buying is attributed to the news that the company has entered into an agreement with Thomson Tubes Displays to sell 7,00,000 Color Picture Tubes (CPTs) per year.

Aztec Software has zoomed 13% (Rs 6) to Rs 53 following a release that the company has signed an agreement to acquire Disha Technologies for $12 million. Aztec counter has clocked a volume of around 1.6 lakh shares so far on the BSE.

Sensex @1217 hrs:

The Sensex rallied to an new intra-day high of 5,585, but soon slipped back and is now up 13 points at 5,574. The Nifty is at 1,737 - up three points.

ITC has pared some gains and is now up Rs 10 at Rs 1,185. HLL and Reliance are steady at Rs 127 and Rs 506, respectively.

Infosys and Satyam have recovered from the day's lower levels but are still in negative zones at Rs 1,671 and Rs 378, respectively. Wipro, however, continues to languish lower at Rs 584.

Tisco has surged nearly 3% (Rs 8) to Rs 287. However, Hindalco has slipped into negative zone and is down Rs 3 at Rs 1,232.

Pharma stocks are witnessing fresh buying. While Ranbaxy and Dr.Reddy's are steady at Rs 1,089 and Rs 760, respectively. Cipla has spurted over 3% (Rs 9) to Rs 279.

Auto stocks have moved higher. Tata Motors is up 2.3% (Rs 9) at Rs 415. Bajaj Auto has zoomed 1.4% (Rs 13) to Rs 953, and Maruti is up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 362. However, Hero Honda has slipped into negative zone and is down a rupee at Rs 457.

Banking stocks have extended gains. ICICI Bank has advanced nearly 2% (Rs 5) to Rs 280, and HDFC Bank has gained a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 407. SBI is steady at Rs 483.

Bhel has moved up 1.8% (Rs 11) to Rs 600. HDFC is firm at Rs 623.

HPCL has soared 1.6% (Rs 5) to Rs 333, and ONGC is up Rs 3 at Rs 750.

ACC is up a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 276, and Gujarat Ambuja has gained Rs 2 at Rs 345. Grasim, however, is down Rs 2 at Rs 1,192.

The BSE Auto and Metal indices have rallied smartly to 2,347 and 4,821, respectively. While the BSE BANKEX and FMCG index are holding gains at 2,710 and 946, respectively, the BSE TECk index is still down over a per cent at 1,417.

SAIL has topped the volume chart on the BSE, and the counter has clocked a volume of around 77.83 lakh shares so far. Tata Motors (16.43 lakh), Maruti (15.32 lakh), Tisco (14.53 lakh) and Welspun Gujarat (12.53 lakh) have also logged good volume.

Tata Motors tops the value chart with a turnover of Rs 67.73 crore so far on the BSE. It is followed by Maruti (Rs 55.49 crore), Tisco (Rs 41.33 crore), Reliance (Rs 38.09 crore) and Infosys (Rs 36.59 crore).

Sensex @1140 hrs:

Fresh buying in banking and metal stocks saw the Sensex bounce back into positive zone. The index is now up 12 points at 5,573. The Nifty is at 1,738 - up four points.

ITC is consolidating its gains and is now up 1.2% (Rs 15) at Rs 1,188. HLL is steady at Rs 126.50, and Reliance is down Rs 3 at Rs 506.

Infosys has extended losses and is now down 1.6% (Rs 26) to Rs 1,663. Wipro has declined 1.2% to Rs 585, and Satyam is down a per cent at Rs 377.

Banking stocks have rebounded into positive zone owing to fresh buying. ICICI Bank has advanced 1.4% (Rs 4) to Rs 279, and SBI is up Rs 3 at Rs 483. HDFC Bank has rebounded into positive zone and is up Rs 2 at Rs 404.

Tata Motors has zoomed 2.5% (Rs 10) to Rs 416. Maruti has rallied 1.5% (Rs 6) to Rs 364. While Bajaj Auto is up Rs 4 at Rs 944, Hero Honda is flat at Rs 458.

Tisco has spurted over 2% (Rs 6) to Rs 285, and Hindalco is up Rs 2 at Rs 1,237.

Bhel and HDFC have gained a per cent each at Rs 597 and Rs 624, respectively.

Ranbaxy is up Rs 8 at Rs 1,090. Cipla and Dr.Reddy's are up a rupee each at Rs 271 and Rs 760, respectively.

Tata Power has rallied 1.4% (Rs 4) to Rs 307. Reliance Energy is up a rupee at Rs 637.

Zee is languishing at lower levels with a loss of 3% (Rs 4) at Rs 152. Bharti Tele is down 2% (Rs 3) at Rs 146, and MTNL is down a per cent at Rs 127.

The BSE Auto and Metal indices have rallied smartly to 2,347 and 4,821, respectively. While the BSE BANKEX and FMCG index are holding gains at 2,710 and 946, respectively, the BSE TECk index is still down over a per cent at 1,417.

Jaiprakash Associates, Fertilisers & Chemicals, Videocon International, Sterlite Industries, Bharat Electricals, Welspun Gujarat, Raymond, Alok Industries, Indian Rayon, Bombay Dyeing, Britannia, Exide, Arvind Mills, ING Vysya Bank, Century Textiles, Indo Rama, National Aluminium, Geometric Software and SAIL are up 2-6% each.

Indian Overseas Bank, Kotak Bank, Union Bank, HCL Technologies, National Fertilisers, Oriental Bank, IOC, UTI Bank, Andhra Bank and Lupin are down 1-2% each.

Sensex @1040 hrs:

The Sensex slipped into negative zone to touch an intra-day low of 5,548, and is now down a point at 5,560. The Nifty is at 1,732 - down two points.

ITC has moved up 1.5% (Rs 17) to Rs 1,191. HLL has pared gains and is now marginally up at Rs 126. Reliance has slipped into negative zone and is now down Rs 3 at Rs 506.

Infosys and Wipro are down 1.4% each at Rs 1,667 and Rs 584, respectively. Satyam has declined Rs 4 to Rs 377.

Zee has slipped nearly 3% (Rs 4) to Rs 152. Bharti Tele, too, has declined 3% (Rs 5) to Rs 145, and MTNL is down Rs 2 to Rs 126.

Tata Motors has rallied over a per cent (Rs 5) to Rs 411. Bajaj Auto and Maruti have also posted modest gains at Rs 945 and Rs 361, respectively. Hero Honda is up a rupee at Rs 459.

Bhel has gained a per cent (Rs 6) to Rs 596. HDFC is up Rs 5 at Rs 623.

HDFC Bank has declined a per cent (Rs 4) to Rs 398, and SBI is down Rs 3 to Rs 478. However, ICICI Bank is up a rupee at Rs 276.

Ranbaxy has surged Rs 10 to Rs 1,092.

Tisco and Tata Power are up a per cent each at Rs 283 and Rs 306, respectively.

While the BSE FMCG index is up a per cent at 948, the BSE TECk index has slipped over a per cent to 1,415.

Sensex @1005 hrs:

The Sensex opened marginally (six points) higher at 5,567. It slipped to touch an intra-day low of 5,561, but soon recovered and rallied to an intra-day high of 5,581. The index is now at 5,579 - up 18 points. The Nifty has advanced seven points to 1,741.

ITC has spurted over a per cent (Rs 15) to Rs 1,189 in the early morning deals. HLL has rallied over a per cent to Rs 127. Reliance is a tad higher at Rs 510.

Infosys has declined over a per cent (Rs 19) to Rs 1,670. Satyam and Wipro have also slipped over a per cent each to Rs 376 and Rs 584, respectively.

Zee is down nearly 2% (Rs 3) at Rs 154.