Sensex languishes at lower levels, down 194pts

The Sensex continues to languish at lower levels, and is now down 194 points at 11,682.

Earlier in the day, the index opened up 121 points at 11,997. Within an hour, however the index slipped into the red and thereafter exihibited sideways movement. Later, the index plunged to a low of 11,659 - down 368 points from the day's high - owing to steep losses in realty shares.

Realty major, DLF, has plunged over 5% to Rs 228. Jaiprakash Associates, Tata Motors and Reliance Communications have slumped 5% each to Rs 135, Rs 256 and Rs 219, respectively.

Tata Steel has shed 4% at Rs 271. HDFC has declined 3.5% to Rs 1,679.

SBI, Larsen & Toubro, BHEL, Grasim, Sterlite, Wipro, Reliance Infrastructure, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Unilever, Hindalco, Reliance and Bharti Airtel have dropped 2% each.