Sensex exhibit weakness

The Sensex is now at 17,645, down 55 points. The NSE Nifty is at 5,271, down 12 points.
___________________________________________

(Updated at 1027hrs)

The Sensex has displayed weakness in morning trades following the US markets. Earlier in the day, the Sensex touched a high of Rs 17,733. The index then slipped 99 points from the high o a low of 17,634.

The Sensex is now down 30 points at 17,670. The Nifty is down six points at 5,275.

IT and auto stocks continue to trade in the red. Market heavy-weight, Infosys has slipped 1.7% to Rs 2,539. TCS and Wipro have dropped 2% each to Rs 721 and Rs 679, respectively.

Tata Motors has shed 2.5% at Rs 792. Mahindra & Mahindra has declined 1.5% to Rs 1,161. Hero Honda has dropped marginally.

Other stocks in the red are Jaiprakash Associates, Grasim, ICICI Bank and HDFC.

On the other hand, Hindalco has gained 2% at Rs 175. ACC and Reliance Communications have added 1.5% each to Rs 919 and Rs 184, respectively.

Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Reliance Infrastructure and Sterlite are the other gainers in the Sensex today.

The market breadth is positive. Out of 2,514 stocks traded, 1,593 have advanced while 857 have declined.