Sensex ends down 252pts

The Sensex ends (provisional) at 16,243 - down 252 points. The Nifty ended (provisional) down 85 points at 4,847.
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(Updated at 1512 hrs)

The markets have extended losses in the last hour or so. The Sensex touched a low of 16,192, and is now down 259 points at 16,237. The NSE Nifty is down 87 points at 4,845.

Hindalco has plunged over 7% to Rs 145. Tata Motors and DLF have tumbled nearly 5% each to RS 688 and Rs 320, respectively.

Jaiprakash Associates has shed 4.5% at Rs 131. Reliance Communications and Tata Steel have dropped 4% each to Rs 164 and Rs 577, respectively.

Sterlite, HDFC, Mahindra & Mahindra, ACC, Wipro and SBI are the other major losers.

ONGC, ITC and Sun Pharma are the only gainers among the index stocks.