Sensex extends losses, down 256pts

The Sensex has slipped further into the red to a low of 13,620. It is now down 256 points at 13,656.
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(Updated at 1319 hrs)

The Sensex extended losses and touched a low of 13,707. The index is now down 201 points at 13,712.

Ranbaxy has plunged 7% to Rs 248. Reliance Communications has shed 6% at Rs 303.

Tata Motors and Bharti Airtel have dropped 4.5% each to Rs 329 and Rs 774, respectively.

ICICI Bank, NTPC and Jaiprakash Associates have slipped 3% each. ITC, DLF, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Power, Reliance, Tata Steel and ACC are the other major losers.

On the other hand, Infosys has advanced 2% to Rs 1,538. Wipro, Sterlite, HDFC Bank and Sun Pharma have added over a per cent each.

The market breadth is positive -out of 2,713 stocks traded, 1,466 have advanced while 1,204 have declined.