Sensex down 314pts; breadth extremely -ve

The Sensex has slipped into the negative zone and is now down 314 points at 17,280.

The NSE Nifty is down 148 points at 5,055.

Reliance Energy has slumped 8.5% to Rs 1,820. NTPC has plunged 8% to Rs 206.

ONGC has shed 4.6% at Rs 945. Hindalco, Cipla and DLF have tumbled around 4% each to Rs 154, Rs 175 and Rs 888, respectively.

Wipro has dropped 3.7% to Rs 415. Grasim and TCS have slipped over 3% each to Rs 2,929 and Rs 840, respectively.

Reliance and Tata Steel are down 2.5% each at Rs 2,489 and Rs 680, respectively.

Hindustan Unilever has surged 4% to Rs 197. BHEL and Satyam have advanced 1.8% each to Rs 2,185 and Rs 400, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has gained 1.5% at Rs 643, and HDFC has added 1.3% to Rs 2,565.

The market breadth is extremely negative - out of 2,665 stocks traded so far, 2,220 have declined, 417 have advanced and 28 are unchanged.