By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities, which opened in the red Monday, slipped further to close at 17,388.91 points — 0.97 percent lower than its previous close on weak global cues.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,536.86 points, closed at 17,386.08 points, 172.63 points or 0.98 percent lower than its previous close at 17,558.71 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 5,222.75 points, a loss of 1.05 percent from its previous close at 5,278 points.
Broader market indices also closed in the negative with the BSE midcap index down 0.45 percent and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.42 percent lower.
Metals, capital goods, power stocks came under selling pressure while consumer durables scrips saw buying interest.
The market breadth was negative with as many as 1,648 scrips declining, 1,218 advancing, and 87 remaining unchanged.
Top gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were Hero Honda, up 0.86 percent at Rs.1,921.25; Reliance Communications, up 0.24 percent at Rs.164.05; Maruti Suzuki, up 0.2 percent at Rs.1,282.35; and Wipro, up 0.18 percent at Rs.674.70.
Major losers included Reliance Infra, down 3.01 percent at Rs.1,101.90; Hindalco, down 2.75 percent at Rs.173; Sterlite Industries, down 2.4 percent at Rs.808.60; and HUL, down 2.2 percent at Rs.233.75.
Global markets continued to trade weak with investors still cautious over how the Greece debt crisis would pan out and whether more countries’ finances could be in trouble.
Investor nervousness was prevalent despite Greece sovereign bonds being accepted by the European Central Bank as security for the loans provided to Athens.
In Asia, the South Korean Kospi closed 1.17 percent down at 1,721.21 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended 1.41 percent lower at 20,811.36 points.
Japanese and Chinese markets were shut due to public holidays.
European stocks were in a slump.
The FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was at 5,5553.29 points, down 1.15 percent, while its German peer, DAX, was trading 0.11 percent lower at 6,128.96 points.
The French CAC 40 index was trading 0.5 percent lower at 3,797.93 points.