Sensex opens low by 7 points at 15,388.36

Mumbai, Jun 17: The key benchmark Sensex of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today resumed negative at 15,388.36 points with a small loss of seven points from its last close of 15,395.82 on profit booking by local operators.

The key heavy weight stocks opened on a weak note on mixed global cues. Crude oil price struck a record high just under USD 140 a barrel on yesterday, dampening the investor sentiments. However, the advance tax figures of some leading banks and a few corporates for the April-June quarter of this fiscal provided some solace. At present, the 30-share BSE Sensex was down 68.17 points or 0.44 per cent at 15,463.99 from it last finish. At the day's high of 15,475.00 and low of 15,357.98.

The broader-based S&P CNX Nifty index of National Stock Exchange (NSE) however, was up 14 points or 0.52 per cent at Rs 4,596.50 points from it last finish at Rs 4,572.50. However, it opened flat at Rs 4,572.50, later it recorded the day's high at Rs 4,599 and a low at Rs 4,561.75 points.

The market breadth was strong on BSE with 1,031 shares advancing as compared to 543 that declined. The 64 remained unchanged.

The BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.50 per cent to 6,331.14 and BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.52 per cent to 7,708.77.

Top Sensex gainers were Jaiprakash Associates was up 2.79 per cent at Rs 184.50 followed by Bharat Heavy Electricals by 2.16 per cent at Rs 1,560.500, Maruti Suzuki by 1.84 per cent Rs 731, Tata Motors by 0.87 per cent at Rs 521.25 and TCS by 1.04 per cent at Rs 920.

Top Sensex losers were, Reliance Communication was down by 1.72 per cent at Rs 525.90 followed by Bharti Airtel by 0.79 per cent at Rs 833, Satyam Computer by 0.51 per cent at Rs 485.95, ONGC by 0.23 per cent at Rs 841 and Ambuja Cement by 0.53 per cent at Rs 84.60.

UNI