Sensex ends down over 160 points, BHEL gains 5%

The Sensex opened a tad higher at 15,770 - up 13 points - but slipped into negative zone soon on weak cues from Asian markets.

Aggressive profit-taking saw the index drop to a low of 15,479 - down 291 points from the day's open. The Sensex recouped some ground in late noon deals, and finally ended with a loss of 169 points at 15,588.

The market breadth was marginally positive - out of 2,671 stocks traded, 1,398 advanced and 1,205 declined on Tuesday.

The NSE Nifty settled 51 points lower at 4,710.

Index shakers

Larsen & Toubro declined over 5% to Rs 2,581. Wipro and Jaiprakash Associates dropped 4.5% each to Rs 414 and Rs 222, respectively.

Tata Steel slipped over 3% to Rs 656. Ranbaxy shed 2.7% at Rs 471, and Grasim dropped 2.5% to Rs 2,560.

NTPC, Infosys and Hindustan Unilever slipped over 2% each to Rs 187, Rs 1,461 and Rs 248,">