The Sensex was subdued after a sharp upmove on Monday, owing to negative cues from European markets and selective profit-taking.
The index opened 16 points higher and soon touched a fresh 14-month high of 16,002, up 78 points. However, it could not hold gains and slipped into negative. The index breached the break-even point twice during the day but tumbled back to lower levels.
Sustained selling in the Realty and Power stocks pulled the Sensex to a low of 15,699, down 303 points from day's high. However, late buyings in Consumer Durables and Auto stocks led the index to recoup some of its losses and finally settle at 15,830, down 93 points.
The NSE Nifty closed at 4,680, down 30 points.
The market breadth was positive -- out of 2,790 stocks, 1,476 advanced, while 1,246 declined.
INDEX MOVERS...
Hindustan Unilever and Hindalco surged 3.5% each to Rs 294 and Rs 112, respectively.
Tata Motors advanced 2.5% to Rs 441. ACC and Mahindra & Mahindra gained 1.5% each to Rs 904 and Rs 928, respectively.
Maruti Suzuki and Reliance added 1% each to Rs 1,485 and Rs 2,035, respectively.
Among the Nifty stocks, BPCL rallied nearly 5% to Rs 487.National Aluminium and Ambuja Cement gained 2% and 1.5%, respectively.
...AND THE SHAKERS
Tata Power plunged 4.5% to Rs 1,298. ONGC and Reliance Infrastructure declined nearly 3% each to Rs 1,141 and Rs 1,188.
Bharti Airte, Reliance Communications and Jaiprakash Associates shed 2.5% each to Rs 400, Rs 282 and Rs 244.
DLF, Wipro, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Sun Pharma and ICICI Bank were down 1-2% each.
Among the Nifty stocks, Cipla and Axis Bank shed 3.5% and 3%, respectively.
