By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for an Indian equities market Thursday was trading lower amid profit booking in front-line stocks, while broader markets were dull as traders adopted a wait and watch policy.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,892.43 points, was ruling at 19,891.52 points – still 86.8 points or 0.46 percent down from its previous close at 18,978.32 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too was ruling tightly bound at 5,666.3 points, 24.75 points or 0.43 percent lower.
Broader markets too were lacklustre with the BSE midcap index down 0.07 percent and the BSE smallcap index down 0.14 percent.
Energy, FMCG and auto stocks fell, while some IT and telecom stocks saw gains.
The market breadth was negative, with 1,143 stocks advancing compared to 1,343 scrips on the decline, while 94 stocks remained unchanged.
Among gainers on the Sensex were TCS, Jindal Steel, Hero Honda and NTPC, while the losers included ITC, Sterlite Industries, ONGC and Tata Motors.
Most other Asian stock markets were trading with a negative bias tracking bourses in US and Europe, which closed in the red overnight.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index moved down 2.27 percent at 2,695.4 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 1.26 percent to rule at 24,112.83 points.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.13 percent down at 10,437.31 points.