Markets slip; breadth firm

After touching a high of 18,260, the markets have pared some of their gains. However, the smallcap (up 1.1%) and midcap (up 1.2%) indices continue to perform better than the benchmark index (up 0.6%), a trait seen since the past two weeks. The Sensex is at 18,194, up 121 points and the Nifty is up 41 points at 5,457.

Among the sectoral Indices, the day's leading indices Consumer Durables and Realty continue to  march steadily, up 2.5% and 2% respectively. However, the metal index has slipped into the red,  down 0.08%. Bankex, FMCG and PSU are up 1% each.

SBI has added 1.6% at Rs 2858, continues to top the SEnsex gainers list. Maruti Suzuki has added 2% at Rs 1252. ITC, DLF and ICICI Bank are the other prominent gainers.

Market heavyweight, RIL has pared some of its last hours gains and is trading at Rs 975.

Sterlite Industries has extended its losses and is down nearly 4%, trading at RS 161. Reliance Communications has slipped nearly 3% at Rs 168 and Reliance Infrastructure has lost 1% at Rs 1081.

The market breadth continues to be positive. 1631 stocks advanced while 1313 declined.