By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index of Indian equities Wednesday slipped below the 20,000-mark, shedding 157 points as profit booking picked up pace in afternoon trade.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,039.43, was ruling at 19,844.42 points, down 157.13 points or 0.79 percent, compared to its previous close at 20,001.55 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,952.8 points, down 0.94 percent.
Broader markets indices were also in the red with the BSE midcap trading 0.73 percent down and the BSE smallcap index 0.64 percent lower.
The market breadth was negative with 924 scrips advancing, compared to 1,977 stocks declining and 94 remaining unchanged.
Other Asian markets were subdued with many major bourses closed on account of holidays.
The Japan’s Nikkei closed 0.37 percent lower at 9,566.32 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 0.38 percent down at 22,085.31 points. Chinese markets were closed.