Sensex down 44pts; Satyam drops 5%

The Sensex is now down 44 points at 13,998.

Tata Steel has soared 3.4% to Rs 496, and ACC has surged over 3% to Rs 624.

ITC has rallied 2.3% to Rs 196. Hindustan Unilever and ICICI Bank have advanced over 1.5% each to Rs 249 and Rs 638, respectively.

Satyam has slumped 5% to Rs 352. Jaiprakash Associates and Maruti have tumbled over 3% each to Rs 131 and Rs 718, respectively.

Larsen & Toubro, Hindalco and Tata Motors have dropped around 2% each to Rs 2,586, Rs 111 and Rs 415, respectively.

Ranbaxy, ONGC and BHEL have slipped around 1.5% each to Rs 351, Rs 1,055 and Rs 1,685, respectively.

Out of 2,606 stocks traded so far, 1,273 have advanced, 1,259 have declined and the rest are unchanged.