Sensex opens down by 155 pts

Mumbai, Nov 12 (UNI) The 30-scrips Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened in the red for the second consecutive day today at 9,683.75 points, down by 155 points, compared with its last close of 9,839.69.

The market is still weak as a latest data indicated slowdown in the industrial activity and trade, and on gathering gloom about the global economy.

The Sensex recorded a low at 9,559.33. Currently, it is down by 120.50 points to 9,719.19.

However, 50-scrips Nifty Index of National Stock Exchange (NSE) opened flat at 2,937.90 points. It is currently down by 16 points to 2,922.45.

Asian shares fell for the second straight day today and oil prices slipped back near a 20-month low as poor corporate earnings highlighted the damage from the global economic slowdown on companies and consumers.

Key benchmark indices in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea were down by between 0.35 pc and 1.39 pc.

Among the 30-member Sensex pack, 24 declined while the rest gained.

The heavyweights drifted lower. Among them were DLF (down by 5.66 pc) to Rs 252.50, Reliance Industries (down by 2.66 pc) to Rs 1174.85, ICICI Bank (down by 3.25 pc) to Rs 420.05, ONGC (down by 3 pc) to Rs 713, Hindalco (down by 2.67 pc) to Rs 58.40 and Maruti Suzuki India (down by 2.51 pc) to Rs 557.70.

However, some key heavyweights jumped up on renewed buying demand. They included Wipro (up by 1.33 pc) to Rs 251.50, Tata Consultancy Services (up by 1.67 pc) to Rs 534.20, Tata Power (up by 4.98 pc) to Rs 790.05, HDFC (up by 1.72 pc) to Rs 1,685, Bharti Airtel (up by 1.18 pc) to Rs 666 and Bhel (up by 1.45 pc) to Rs 1,386.50.

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