Sensex ends down 333 points at 17,759

The Sensex opened marginally (28 points) higher at 18,120, and touched a high of 18,129 in early deals. The index soon slipped into negative zone on weak global markets. Persistent weakness thereafter saw the index slip to a low of 17,684 - down 445 points from the day's high - in noon deals.

Some recovery towards the closing bell saw the Sensex finally end with a loss of 333 points (1.8%) at 17,759.

The NSE Nifty settled with a loss of 113 points (2.1%) at 5,168.

The BSE market breadth was significantly negative - out of 2,787 stocks traded, 2,018 declined, 726 advanced and the balance were unchanged today.

Index Shakers...

Reliance Energy slumped 5.5% to Rs 1,992. Hindustan Unilever and ONGC plunged 5% each to Rs 197 and Rs 969, respectively.

Reliance Communications and NTPC tumbled 4.7% each to Rs 612 and Rs 202, respectively.

Reliance dropped over 4% to Rs 2,470. Bajaj Auto declined 3.3% to Rs 2,301.

ICICI Bank and Tata Motors slipped nearly 3% each to Rs 1,185 and Rs 696, respectively. DLF was down 2.3% to Rs 862.

Hindalco and Maruti declined around 2% each to Rs 176 and Rs 841, respectively.

...And The Movers

BHEL moved up 1.8% to Rs 2,089.

HDFC advanced 1.5% to Rs 2,894, and Tata Steel added 1% to Rs 724.
 

Major Gainers			Major Losers
Name	Close	% Chg	Name	Close	% Chg
Ren Jewellery	113.60	13.0	Ador Multi	20.25	18.7
ABC Paper	73.00	11.9	U P Hotels	337.10	14.9
India Motor	214.95	10.8	Hawkins Cook	195.00	12.7
Geodinfo System	188.35	10.5	Bilcare	950.00	12.4
SEL Manuf	214.60	10.0	Steel Cast	148.55	12.4
(Close = Stock pirce at the end of day in Rs)

Most Active Counters

Reliance Natural Resources topped the value chart with a turnover of Rs 223.30 crore followed by Essar Oil (Rs 217.60 crore), Reliance Energy (Rs 178.30 crore), Reliance Petroleum (Rs 155.25 crore) and Reliance Capital (Rs 138.90 crore).

Reliance Natural Resources led the volume chart with trades of around 1.59 crore shares followed by Ispat Industries (1.05 crore), Reliance Petroleum (94.25 lakh), Essar Oil (91.50 lakh) and Himachal Futuristic (63.40 lakh).