Budget 2008: Sensex down 240pts

The Sensex is now down 263 points at 17,561. SBI has witnessed fresh buying and the stock has surged nearly 4% to Rs 2,118.

Maruti has soared over 4% to Rs 870. Bajaj Auto has rallied 2.5% to Rs 2,275, and Mahindra & Mahindra has added 1% to Rs 688.

Hindustan Unilever has gained 3% at Rs 227.

Infosys, DLF and Larsen & Toubro have plunged around 3% each to Rs 1,551, Rs 781 and Rs 3,537, respectively.

Tata Steel, Wipro and Reliance have tumbled around 2.5% each to Rs 803, Rs 436 and Rs 2,475, respectively.

ONGC, Bharti Airtel and Satyam have slumped 2.3% each to Rs 1,015, Rs 825 and Rs 437, respectively.

Out of 2,722 stocks traded so far, 1,621 have declined, 1,045 have advanced and 56 are unchanged.