The benchmark CNX Nifty index snapped a two-session winning spree and lost 36 points at the National Stock Exchange today on selling pressure in select counters on the back of persistent capital outflows from foreign funds amidst a mixed trend in global markets.
Shares of PSU banks, media, finance and energy dropped on renewed selling pressure. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to remain seller in Indian equities. They sold shares worth Rs 165.09 crore yesterday, as per provisional data from the stock exchanges.
The 50-issue Nifty resumed lower at 5,841.90 and hovered in a range of 5,863.40 and 5,804.30 before ending at 5,813.60, showing a net loss of 36.45 points, or 0.62 per cent. The NSE benchmark index had gained by 150.95 points, or 2.65 per cent, in the last two trading sessions.
Most Asian stocks ended higher. Indices in Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and China moved up between 0.23 per cent and 1.45 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei eased 0.20 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended flat.
European stock markets were trading lower in early trade as investors remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting, which could signal a potential slowdown in the central bank's asset purchases.
Top five losers from the Nifty pack were Ranbaxy (3.54 per cent), Bank of Baroda (2.90 per cent), NTPC (2.56 per cent), UltraTech (2.37 per cent) and PNB (2.28 per cent).
Top five gainers were Tata Steel (2.91 per cent), Sesa Goa (1.18 per cent), Tata Power (1.15 per cent), Bajaj Auto (1.10 per cent) and Infosys (0.99 per cent).
Turnover in the cash segment rose to Rs 8,842.50 crore from Rs 8,482.54 crore yesterday. A total of 5,287.99 lakh shares changed hands in 48,17,509 trades. The market capitalisation stood at Rs 63,06,073 crore.
