Markets continue to trade soft

Markets are trading in the negative zone on selling pressure in select stocks.

The Sensex is now down 39 points at 18,092. Nifty is down 13 points at 5,435.

BSE auto index has shed 2.2% at 8,228 on Maruti results. Realty index is down 1% at 3,453.

Maruti Suzuki has slumped 11% to Rs 1,205 on a 20% drop in Q1 net owing to royalty payment.

Hero Honda has tumbled 5.5% to Rs 1,850. Jaiprakash Associates is one of the biggest losesr today and is down 5% at Rs 122. The stock has dropped in spite of a 5% jump in net.

SBI has slipped 1.5% to Rs 2,457. SBI and Tata Motors have declined 1.5% each.

DLF, Tata Steel and ONGC are among the other top losers.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has dropped 1.4% to Rs 318. Cipla has declined 1% to Rs 328. Wipro and ACC are down in trades as well.

BSE market breadth is neutral. Out of 2,463 stocks traded, 1,183 have advanced while 1,197 have declined.