Among prominent gainers on the Sensex at this time were Tata Motors, up 4.95 percent at Rs.393.50; DLF, up 4.66 percent at Rs.431.30; Tata Power, up 1.37 percent at Rs.1,254; and ACC, up 1.16 percent at Rs.858.

Losers included ICICI Bank, down 2.38 percent at Rs.739.60; HDFC, down 2.24 percent at Rs.1,402.45; Reliance Industries, down 1.99 percent at Rs.1,900, and Infosys, down 1.89 percent at Rs.1,986.95.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange was flat, ruling a marginal 1.44 points below its previous close at 10,087.22 points.

The sluggish trade came after almost nine consecutive days of gains with investors becoming sceptical over the sustainability of the rally.

However the Hang Seng, the primary index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling in the green at 20,392.71 points, up 141.09 points.