Markets end near day's low

The Sensex started the week with a marginal positive gap at 16,808 and slipped to the negative zone. However, some strong corporate numbers buoyed the index up 128 points to touch a high of 16,939. However, weakness in Reliance saw the Sensex dropping once again to a low of 16,706 - down 233 points from the high.

The Sensex finally ended with a loss of 70 points at 16,740.

The Nifty ended down 26 points at 4,971.

The market breadth was fairly negative. Out of 2,802 stocks traded 1,743 declined while 992 advanced.

INDEX SHAKERS..

Index heavyweight, Reliance, was responsible for 35 points of the Sensex's fall, followed by ICICI Bank (20 points) and SBI (19 points). Reliance dropped 1.5% to Rs 2,015. ICICI bank shed 1.5% at Rs 891 while SBI was down 2% at Rs 2,305.

Jaiprakash Associates continued to bleed for the third day. The stock dipped 3.5% to Rs 229. Hindalco dropped 3% to Rs 137.

Reliance Communications and Reliance Infrastructure slipped 2.5% each to Rs 223 and Rs 1,201, respectively. BHEL and Hindustan Unilever were the other top losers in the Sensex today.

...AND THE MOVERS

Tata Motos gained 2% at Rs 539. ITC and Tata Steel added 1.7% each to Rs 264 and Rs 541, respectively.

HDFC and NTPC were up 1.5% each to Rs 2,766 and Rs 217, respectively.

Sun Pharma and Grasim were the other gainers.