The Sensex fell for a sixth day in row on Friday as caution ahead

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of next week's resumption of parliament weighed heavily, with investors also factoring in the worsening global risk environment.

ICICI Bank fell 2.7 per cent, while mortgage lender HDFC slumped 2.6 per cent.

The Sensex provisionally fell 1.09 per cent, while the Nifty ended down 1.01 per cent.

Markets @ 09.00 AM (Reuters)

The Sensex gains 0.25 percent and the Nifty is up 0.13 percent, after falling for five consecutive sessions.

Asian shares steady on Friday after falling nearly 2 percent this week on worries about the looming U.S. "fiscal cliff".

Telecom shares extend gains after a tepid demand in a 2G airwave auction raises hopes for lower prices: Bharti Airtel gains 1.6 percent, while Idea Cellular advances 1.2 percent.

Some recent under-performers gain on short-covering: Infosys gains 1.1 percent after falling 2.8 percent so far this month as of Thursday's close.