Tuesday, January 10 2006 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The Sensex plunged by 118.97 points to 9464.48 at 2.00 pm due to fresh bouts of heavy selling by operators ahead of the third quarter results to be announced by several blue chip companies, including Reliance Industries (RIL).

The BSE benchmark 30-share sensitive Index (Sensex) opened steady at 9584.47 as against yesterday's (Jan 9, 2006) close of 9583.45 and later recovered to a high of 9600.08, only to fall again on fresh bouts of selling and was quoted at 9464.48 around 2.00 pm, showing a steep fall of 118.97 over the previous day's close.

According to market men, operators and retail investors were playing safe ahead of the third quarter results to be announced today especially by petrochemical major Reliance Industries and did not want to make any further commitments.