The Sensex and the Nifty snapped a four-session gaining streak on Monday, as technology stocks fell on profit-booking, while automakers dropped after an industry body said car sales in India posted their biggest monthly slump in more than 12 years.
Stocks sensitive to interest rates also fell after Reserve Bank of India Governor Duvvuri Subbarao on Friday rejected high inflation as the "new normal, sparking concerns the central bank would be more hawkish on interest rates.
Shares were also hurt after a global risk rally that had sparked gains last week stalled, as weak economic data from China and worries about Italy took the shine off strong US jobs numbers last week.
Investors are gearing up for January industrial output data due on Tuesday and February wholesale price inflation on Thursday, which will help set expectations ahead of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy review on March 19.
"IIP and WPI are important data points ahead of RBI meet. After a strong rally last week the market is trying to search for direction, and will remain in this range," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, head of research, SMC Investments and Advisors Limited. The Sensex fell 0.19 per cent, or 37.02 points, to end at 19,646.21, after hitting its highest close since February 2 on Friday and gaining 4.26 per cent over the previous four sessions. The Nifty fell 0.06 per cent, or 3.35 points, to end at 5,942.35.
Software services exporters fell on profit-booking after gaining last week on rupee depreciation and improving US economic outlook.
