Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) Sensex slipped in the red after opening over 150 points higher during the early trade on Monday.

Manufacturing company stocks like SAIL, Jindal Steel fell over 2 per cent.

Bank stocks also traded lower, however, global steel giant Arcelor Mittal has initiated payment for acquisition of debt-ridden Essar Steel for Rs 42,000 crore.

At 11.45 a.m., Sensex was 7.07 points at 41,002.64. It opened at 41,168.85, from its previous close of 41,009.71.

The Nifty fell nearly 12 points to 12,074.95.

--IANS ravi/ksk/