Sensex extends losses

The Sensex has once again slipped into the red to a low of 16,135 - down 203 points from the day's high. The index is now down 33 points at 16,184.

The Nifty is down nine points at 4,811.

The BSE realty and oil & gas indices have dropped sharply. Both indices have declined 1.3% each to 4,260 and 10,174, respectively.

Sterlite has dropped 3.5% to Rs 740. Hero Honda and Reliance Communications have slipped 3% each to Rs 1,541 and Rs 295, respectively.

Maruti Suzuki has declined 2% to Rs 1,464. Jaiprakash Associates, Hindustan Unilever and DLF are down 1.5% each.

Reliance, Tata Motors, ITC, Grasim and Tata Power have also declined around 1% each.

However, Hindalco has added 3.5% to Rs 121. Bharti Airtel has moved up 1% to Rs 422.

The market breadth continues to be negative. Out of 2,657 shares traded 1,680 have declined while 921 have advanced.