Sensex drops 71pts; Hindalco sheds 2%

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 28 points at 11,943. The index touched a high of 11,953, and then slipped into red to touch a low of 11,837.

The index is now down 71 points at 11,844.

Cipla has spurted 1.3% to Rs 263. Satyam and HDFC Bank have gained 1% each at Rs 782 and Rs 830, respectively.

Hindalco has plunged over 2% to Rs 207.

Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, ONGC, Infosys, Bajaj Auto, Ranbaxy and Wipro have slipped over 1% each.