Sensex, Nifty in red; metal, auto stocks drag

The broader market is out-performing the CNX Nifty index, the Midcap and Smallcap indices have gained 0.3-0.5 percent each at 14,146 and 5,875, respectively.The Volatility index - India VIX - is now down 0.3 percent at 15.42.The IT index is also up 0.5 percent at 11,624.

The market after starting the day on a positive note - with the BSE Sensex up almost 100-odd points at 28,193 and the NSE Nifty up 23-odd points at 8,548, soon slipped into the negative zone amid reports that government will list GST bill for passage in the Rajya Sabha today.

The key benchmark indices touched a low of 28,082 and 8,509, respectively.

Now, the BSE Sensex is down 26 points at 28,075 and the NSE Nifty is down six points at 8,520.

The broader market is out-performing the CNX Nifty index, the Midcap and Smallcap indices have gained 0.3-0.5 percent each at 14,146 and 5,875, respectively.

The Volatility index - India VIX - is now down 0.3 percent at 15.42.

Among sectors, the CNX Metal, FMCG and Energy indices are down 0.3 percent each at 2,104, 20,730 and 8,520, respectively.

On the other hand, the PSU Bank index has jumped over a percent at 3,623. The Realty index has advanced almost a per cent at 185.

The IT index is also up 0.5 percent at 11,624.

NMDC is the top loser among Nifty-50 stocks, down 1.5 percent at Rs. 103. Tata Steel, Asian Paints, BPCL and BHEL have dropped over a percent each.

ITC, Hindalco, ACC and NTPC have shed almost a percent each.

On the other hand, Infosys and SBI (ahead of results) have jumped 1.5 percent each at Rs. 1,102 and Rs. 287, respectively.

Vedanta, Bank of Baroda, Cipla, Punjab National Bank, Lupin and Power Grid are the other notable gainers.