Sensex ends down 76pts

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) at 16,974, down 76 points. The NSE Nifty ended (provisional) at 5,052, down 10 points.
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(Updated at 1510hrs)

Markets have been displaying volatile movement today. After trading in red in opening trades, the index rebounded into the positive and touched a high of 17,099 - up 48 points. However, profit booking and weak cues from Asian markets dragged the market into the red once again.

The Sensex has touched a low of 16,991 and is now down 41 points at 17,010.

The Nifty is down six points at 5,054.

INDEX SHAKERS...

Index heavy-weight, Reliance has dropped 1.5% to Rs 2,103 prior to the record date for 1:1 bonus issue. The stock has contributed the most (34 points) to the Sensex's fall, along with Larsen & Toubro (21 points) and ICICI Bank (21 points). While L&T has dropped 1.7% to Rs 1,626, ICICI Bank is down 1.5% at Rs 904.

Reliance Infrastructure has shed 3.2% at Rs 1,149. Sun Pharma has slipped 1% to Rs 1,439.

...AND THE MOVERS

Tata Motors has gained 3% at Rs 645. Tata Steel is up 1.6% at Rs 546.

Infosys, ITC and Jaiprakash Associates have added over 1% each.

The market breadth continues to be positive. Out of 2,789 stocks traded, 1,636 have advanced while 1,053 have declined.