By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index of Indian equities Tuesday fell sharply during the last 30 minutes to close 68 points lower, ending a volatile but range-bound trading day. Broader markets, however, saw robust gains.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,461.98 points, closed at 20,407.71 points, down 68.02 points or 0.33 percent from its previous close at 20,475.73 points.
It had risen to an intra-day high of 20,560.54 points and hit an intra-day low of 20,383.16 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 6,145.8 points, down 0.22 percent.
Broader markets, however, closed in the green. The BSE midcap closed 0.78 percent up and the smallcap index 1.14 percent higher.
The market breadth was positive with 1,684 scrips advancing, compared to 1,290 stocks declining and 130 remaining unchanged.
Consumer durables, power, auto and oil and gas stocks saw buying, while FMCG scrips came under selling pressure. Some metal and banking stocks too saw consolidation.
Top Sensex gainers were Reliance Communications, up 3.22 percent at Rs.177.80; Reliance Infra, up 3.07 percent at Rs.1,114.15; M&M, up 2.28 percent at Rs.748.10 and Jaiprakash Associates, up 2.17 percent at Rs.129.30.
Among the losers were HDFC, down 2.38 percent at Rs.741.20; HDFC Bank, down 1.8 percent at Rs.2,448.70; Hindustan Unilever, down 1.72 percent at Rs.303.45, and Bharti Airtel, down 1.63 percent at Rs.353.55.
Speculation ahead of the earnings season in the US and fall in corporate earnings of major companies led to volatility in other major markets in Asia.
The Japan’s Nikkei shut shop 1.47 percent higher at 9,518.76 points
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended flat at 22,639.14 points. The Chinese markets were closed Tuesday.
European bourses, which rose in early trade, turned quiet at the time of closing bell here. Trader sentiments were boosted somewhat after data released showed growth in the services sector output from the region.
However, rumours of Ireland’s debt rating being viewed negatively by global rating agencies kept the gloom over some EU countries’ debt hovering in investor minds.
Britain’s FTSE 100 was trading at 5,559.51 points, up 0.06 percent.
The German DAX was ruling 0.05 percent higher at 6,137.08 points and the French CAC 40 was trading at 3,671.76 points, up 0.6 percent from its previous close.