Markets ends weak on F&O expiry day

The market came sharply off higher level in late trade due to expiry of November 2007 derivatives contracts. ICICI Bank came off higher level. Infosys slipped into the red in late trade in contrast to a decent gainers earlier during the day. Bajaj Auto, Ranbaxy, Reliance Energy slipped. Metal stocks lost ground. Market breadth turned negative from positive in the last one hour of trade.

The 30-share BSE Sensex provisionally ended up 26.73 points or 0.14% to 18,965.60.The broader based S&P CNX Nifty provisionally ended up 21.25 points or 0.38% to 5638.80.

Reliance Industries was up 1.22% to Rs 2820.20.India’s largest private sector bank by assets ICICI Bank rose 1.20% to Rs 1140.25. The stock came sharply off the higher level in late trade. It came off session's high of Rs 1184.

India’s second largest software exporter by sales Infosys Technologies fell 0.22% to Rs 1566.10.

HDFC Bank gained 3.78% to Rs 1668.80, Maruti Suzuki jumped 2.51% to Rs 991, Mahindra & Mahindra gained 1.56% to Rs 720.90, Bharti Airtel rose 0.91% t oRs 918.25 and State Bank of India was up 0.58% to Rs 2265.

Bajaj Auto dropped 4.68% to Rs 2600.20, Ranbaxy laboratories fell 2.41% to Rs 379.95, Reliance Energy fell 1670.65, Reliance Communications fell 1.78% to Rs 666.35 and ONGC declined 1.70% to Rs 1131.