By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities Tuesday fell more than 330 points on renewed fears over the euro zone debt crisis and heightened geopolitical tensions on the Korean peninsula that weighed on market sentiment.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,444.57 points, was ruling 332.47 points or 2.02 percent down at 16,137.08 points from its previous close at 16,469.55 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 4,843.3 points, down 2.04 percent from its previous close at 4,943.95 points.
Selling pressure was witnessed in the broader markets as well, with the BSE midcap index ruling 2.19 percent down and the BSE smallcap index 2.27 percent lower.
Metals, consumer durables and capital goods stocks faced bulk of the selling pressure with all the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE in the red.
The sell-off intensified after European shares plunged in opening trade after fresh signs of Europe’s banking problems emerged.
Asian markets were also depressed after a report said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had asked his military to prepare for combat.
The Japanese Nikkei ended 3.06 percent down at 9,459.89 points, while the Shanghai Composite index closed 1.9 percent lower at 2,622.63 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shut shop 3.16 percent lower, while the South Korean Kospi ended the day with a 2.75 percent loss at 1,560.83 points.
Europe opened in the red with Britain’s key index the FTSE 100 ruling 2.68 percent lower and its French peer the CAC 40 2.87 percent down. The German DAX too was trading in the negative at 5,656.47 points, down 2.57 percent.
Earlier U.S. stocks had slumped Monday, driving the Dow to its lowest level since February.