Key benchmark indices slightly trimmed losses after hitting fresh intraday lows in early afternoon trade. At 12:15 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 208.46 points or 0.63% at 33,108.74. The Nifty 50 index fell 73.70 points or 0.72% at 10,175.55.
After a weak start, key benchmark indices extended slide, tracking weakness in Asian stocks, amid concerns of a potential global trade war in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump's last weekend's announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum. Adding to global jitters, reports suggested that the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) summoned top executives of ICICI Bank and Axis Bank in the Rs 12700-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case as investigative agencies expanded their probe into the alleged bank fraud by companies linked to Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi.
The Sensex fell 231.83 points, or 0.69%, at the day's low of 33,085.37 in early afternoon trade, its lowest level since 18 December 2017. The index rose 14.01 points, or 0.04%, at the day's high of 33,331.21 in morning trade. The Nifty lost 85.85 points, or 0.84%, at the day's low of 10,163.40 in early afternoon trade, its lowest level since 18 December 2017. The index fell 5.9 points, or 0.06%, at the day's high of 10,243.35 in morning trade.
Among secondary indices, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 1.07%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 1.72%. Both these indices underperformed the Sensex.
The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was quite weak. On the BSE, 2,080 shares declined and 425 shares advanced. A total of 100 shares were unchanged.
Cement stocks fell. Shree Cement (down 1.53%), Ambuja Cements (down 1.27%) and ACC (down 0.38%) declined.
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UltraTech Cement fell 0.52%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yesterday, 6 March 2018 notified that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) investment limit in the company has increased from 30% to 40% of its paid-up capital.
Grasim Industries was down 0.15%. Grasim has exposure to cement sector through its holding in UltraTech Cement.
Realty stocks tumbled. Unitech (down 5.79%), Prestige Estates Projects (down 5.76%), HDIL (down 3.78%), D B Realty (down 2.85%), Godrej Properties (down 2.62%), Sobha (down 1.83%), DLF (down 1.04%) and Oberoi Realty (down 0.64%) declined. Indiabulls Real Estate (up 0.87%) edged higher.
Overseas, Asian stocks declined as global trade war concerns intensified in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump's last weekend's announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum. In economic news, Japan's leading index, which measures the future economic activity, dropped to 104.8 in January from 106.6 in December, which was revised down from 107.4, preliminary figures showed today, 7 March 2018.
US stocks closed higher yesterday, 6 March 2018 but Wall Street remained on edge over an ongoing debate over tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump.
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