Profit taking wipes off some gains @ 14:35 hrs

Following a fresh round of profit taking in select blue chip stocks, the Sensex has drifted down from its higher levels once again. However, at 10,422.41, around 232 points down from a high of 10,654.89 in early trade this morning, the barometer remains fairly well-placed in the positive territory with a sharp gain of 93.58 points or 0.9%.

Stock commentary ^Live

The Nifty, which has eased to 3234.35 from a high of 3303.90, is up 0.73% or 23.30 points over its previous closing mark.

Stock tips for investors

Hindustan Unilever and ITC, the FMCG heavyweights, are down by around 2.5% and 2% at Rs 225 and Rs 181.35 respectively. Pharma stock Ranbaxy Laboratories is down by 2.1% at Rs 182.60.

Stockometer

IT bellwether Infosys Technologies has lost 1.85% at Rs 1394. Wipro is down by around 1.5% at Rs 266.10. Cement stocks ACC and Grasim Industries have lost 1.75% and 1.45% respectively. State Bank of India is down with a loss of 1.15% at Rs 1132.10. BHEL, Sun Pharmaceuticals and Maruti Suzuki are also down in the red, but then, with marginal losses.

Top gainers

Mahindra & Mahindra rules firm with a hefty gain of 8.5%. Reliance Communications is up by around 8.25% at Rs 212.30. Larsen & Toubro and HDFC are up by 6.7% and 6.3% respectively.

Worst losers

Tata Steel, Reliance Infrastructure, Hindalco, DLF, Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors, ICICI Bank, ONGC, Sterlite Industries and HDFC Bank are up by 1.5% - 5%. NTPC, Tata Power, Tata Consultancy Services, Jaiprakash Associates and Reliance Industries are up with modest gains.

Scrip Scan

Midcap stock Gitanjali Gems has flared up by over 25% to Rs 62.15. Gujarat Fluorochemicals is up nearly 16% at Rs 83.95. Rolta India, EIH, Jai Corp, Chennai Petroleum Corporation, Gammon Infrastructure and Kirloskar Brothers have gained 10% - 12.5%.

Experts' Talk

IVRCL Infrastructure, REI Agro, Bharat Forge, Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals, Info Edge, United Breweries, IndusInd bank, Essar Shipping, MindTree, Orchid Chemicals, Patel Engineering and UTV Software are among the other prominent gainers in the midcap index.