Sensex volatile ahead of expiry tomorrow; ICICI Bk dips

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The Sensex started the day with some consolidation ahead of F&O expiry on Thursday. Heavyweight Reliance Industries was marginally up, as it is the last day for RIL's cum bonus trade. It will go ex-bonus tomorrow.

At 9:56 am, the Sensex was up 25 points at 17,155 and the Nifty gained just 2 points at 5,092. The CNX Midcap went up 37 points to 7,267. About 509 shares advanced while 176 shares declined on the NSE.

Among the frontliners, ICICI Bank slipped below Rs 900 level, down 1.5%. Reliance Infrastructure, Wipro, Infosys, TCS, HDFC, Bharti Airtel and Hindalco were other losers.

However, BPCL, M&M, Maruti, Hero Honda, ITC, IDFC, BHEL and ONGC were gainers in early trade.

Unitech will raise money for third time. It has proposed to issue GDR/FCCB for $ 700 million.

Astec Lifesciences started the first day at Rs 87 as against issue price of Rs 82 per share.

Midcap space:

Man Industries was up 11%.

Den Networks was down 0.5%, after slipping 16% on first day yesterday.

Vishal Retail fell over 5.5%. MphasiS was up 1.7% post good numbers.

Geometric Soft and Max India were up over 2%.

Global cues:

Asian markets were quiet in trade. Shanghai, Hang Seng and Kospi were marginally down while Nikkei, Straits Times and Taiwan Weighted were flat.

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