Ultratech cement, Bajaj Auto and Axis Bank have shed around a per cent each on the BSEThe criteria indices are having a lacklustre session of trading as they look for to consolidate near all-time highs, after the gains witnessed in the previous two weeks.

At 12:30 pm, the Sensex is trading at 58,107.55, lower by 142.80 points or 0.25 per cent and the Nifty is at 17,307.40, down 43.70 points or 0.22 percent.

Out of the 30 BSE Sensex stocks, 15 are selling the green and an equivalent number remain in unfavorable territory.

Gains in Bharti Airtel, ITC, Tata Steel and Hindustan Unilever and being negated by losses in Ultratech cement, Bajaj Automobile and Axis Bank.The wider markets are exceeding the largecap peers, with the BSE Midcap index and BSE Smallcap index getting 0.1 percent and 0.3 per cent respectively.In the currency market, the rupee has plunged 25 paise to 73.85 versus the US dollar on Thursday, weighed down by the an uptrend in the dollar index and importer hedging.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 73.77 versus the dollar and subsequently declined to 73.85.

On the other hand, all eyes are on the ECB council meeting set up later in the day as it is anticipated to start tapering its stimulus program soon given the rise in inflation to a 10-year high.On the stock-specific front, Nestle has soared by 2 per cent to top the gainer's list on the BSE.

Bharti Airtel, ITC, Tata Steel and Hindustan Unilever have added up to 1 per cent each on the BSE.On the other hand, Ultratech cement, Bajaj Auto and Axis Bank have shed around a percent each in the BSE pack.Among stocks in the news, Infosys has revealed a multi-year strategic collaboration with international media firm Financial expert Group to accelerate sustainability options.

Infosys shares are trading at Rs 1,685, lower by 0.4 percent, on the BSE.And TCS has said that Avianca, among the leading airlines in South America, selected it as a strategic partner in its cloud change journey.

TCS shares increased 0.9 per cent to Rs 3,797.40 on the BSE.The BSE market breadth is favorable.

Out of 3,200 stocks traded on the BSE, there are 1,671 advancing stocks as versus 1,375 declines.