By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index of Indian equities Wednesday was ruling 115 points lower around noon, with even broader markets subdued.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,509.95 points, was ruling at 20,386.62 points, down 115.45 points or 0.56 percent from its previous close at 20,498.72 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading at 6,102.85 points, down 0.71 percent or 43.5 points.
Broader markets were also lacklustre, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.64 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.32 percent down.
FMCG, oil and gas and healthcare stocks were gaining while banking, consumer durables, realty and auto scrips came under selling pressure.
The market breadth was negative, with 1,123 stocks advancing, compared to 1,612 scrips on the decline, while 108 stocks were unchanged.
Among the major gainers were Hindalco Industries, Tata Power, Jaiprakash Associates and TCS, while prominent losers included ICICI Bank, Bajaj Auto, DLF and HDFC.
Other major bourses in Asia were trading lower as commodity stocks fell, pulled down by a strong US dollar. Also news that the Chinese central bank may set banks’ reserve requirements on a monthly basis and for each individual bank separately had a dampening effect.
The Japanese Nikkei index closed dull, down 0.17 percent lower at 10,380.77 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index moved 0.69 percent lower at 2,833.01 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was also sluggish, trading 0.04 percent higher at 23,678.12 points.