Sensex opens low at 13,768.79 pts, down 103 pts

Mumbai, Dec 5: The sensitive index of BSE today opened low at 13,768.79 points with a massive loss of around 103 points from its last close of 13,871.71 points on sustained heavy selling pressure by FIIs and some local investors.

The Sensex has recovered after an early slide, as buying interest resumed and is now above the 13,900 level.

Later, the current BSE Sensex is quoted up 40.69 points to 13,912.40. It opened on a weak note at 13768.79 and slipped to a low of 13763.39 as selling continued in early trade. Its high for the day is at 13913.18 points.

Meanwhile, the S&P CNX Nifty index of NSE resumed high at 3,990.15 points. The index recorded a high at 3,998.25 points and a low at 3974.95 points during the mid-morning session. The current index is quoated high at 3,997.80 points with a modest gain of nine points from its last close of 3,988.80 points.

ICICI Bank was the top gainer, up by 1.30 per cent to Rs 902 on 36220 shares. Tata Motors (up 0.75 per cent to Rs 954.15), Hero Honda (up 0.61 per cent to Rs 759.60) and Bajaj Auto (up 0.49 per cent to Rs 2817) followed.

Maruti Udyog was the top loser, down 1.31 per cent to Rs 955.

HDFC (down 1.22 per cent to Rs 1561.80), Hindalco (down 0.94 per cent to Rs 173.25) and HDFC Bank (down 0.93 per cent to Rs 1039.75) edged lower.

Tanla Solutions was trading at Rs 365 in early trade on BSE, a premium of 37.7 per cent over IPO price of Rs 265. The stock debuted at Rs 379.80 which was also its high so far. It hit a low of Rs 365.

3.9 lakh shares changed hands in the counter on BSE.

Asian markets were trading weak. The key benchmark indices in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and Taiwan were down between 0.01 per cent to 2.12 per cent, brokers added.

UNI