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Markets continued to slide on account of profit booking at higher levels in heavyweights like HDFC Bank, ITC, Infosys and Reliance Industries. At 1300 hrs, the Sensex was down 45 points at 19,532 and the Nifty gave off 14 points to trade at 5,885.
However, in the broader markets, the smallcap and midcap indices managed to remain marginally in green, gaining 0.1-0.2%.
The rupee falls on dollar bidding by a large state-run bank, likely related to government's defence payments. The Indian unit at 59.385/395, off 59.17 high, versus 59.51/52 close on Monday.
The Asian markets were trading mixed. Hang Seng was down 0.5% after starting the day up 1 percent as Hong Kong returned from a three-day holiday weekend. Meanwhile, Nikkei share average climbed 1.8%to finish above 14,000 for the first time in five weeks on Tuesday as blue-chip exporters gained on a weaker yen. Encouraging U.S. manufacturing and construction data also lifted investor sentiment.
European markets started in the negative with all the major indices including CAC, DAX and FTSE started lower by 0.2-0.5%.
All the sectoral indices except, Consumer durables, Health Care and Metal indices were in the red. Realty index down 1% was the top loser followed by PSU, IT, Auto, Bankex, Oil & Gas and Capital Goods losing 0.2-0.5%.
The movers among the Sensex-30 were Gail India, Bharti Airtel, BHEL, Sterlite and Hindalco which was up 2-3% followed by Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Wipro, TCS and Mahindra & Mahindra which added 0.2-1.5%.
Among the ones in the red were Jindal Steel, Coal India, Tata Power, ONGC, Tata Motors and Hero MotoCorp which slipped 1-2%.
Infosys, L&T, ITC, SBI, Reliance Industries and SBI down 0.6-1% were the other notable losers.
In individual stocks, Elder Pharmaceuticals has surged 4% to Rs 348 after the company said its UK arm NutraHealth has acquired Max Healthcare Ltd to re-enter over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical business for an undisclosed amount.
Crompton Greaves has surged nearly 6% to Rs 94.70, extending its 14% rally in past three trading sessions, after the company announced the buyback of its equity shares at a maximum price of Rs 125 per share from the open market through stock exchanges.
The market breadth was marginally negative on the BSE. 1,046 stocks declined while 1,007 stocks advanced.
