Extending its losing run to the third day, the BSE benchmark Sensex today failed to build on the early gains and closed with a loss of nearly 65 points at over one-month low of 19,545.78 on fag-end selling in consumer durables and rate-sensitive banks, realty and auto shares.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer resumed almost stable and moved up further to a high of 19,742.70, a rise of over 130 points on buying in capital goods, oil & gas, and healthcare shares.
However, fag-end selling in select counters pulled the Sensex down by 64.70 points or 0.33 per cebt to at over one-month low of 19,545.78, a level not seen since April 30, 2013 when it had closed at 19,504.18.
The index has lost 670 points in three days now.
Bluechip stocks like HDFC, Tata Motors, SBI, RIL, HDFC Bank, Infosys and ICICI Bank mainly dragged Sensex down today.
The broad-based 50-issue CNX Nifty of the NSE declined by 19.85 points, or 0.33 per cent, at 5,919.45. Also, MCX-SX flagship index, SX40, ended down by 24.84 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 11,610.07.
"RBI's monetary policy in mid-June and inflation and IIP numbers in coming week shall be key triggers for market direction. Lower GDP and worries over CAD as rupee continues to face pressure, has raised concerns," said Rakesh Goyal, Senior Vice President, Bonanza Portfolio.
After hitting 11-month lows yesterday, the rupee today strengthened by almost 32 paise to trade at 56.44-levels.
"USD/INR did correct a bit, however, equity markets did not pay any heed to it today. However, any sharper correction could result in a bounce back in stock market," said Nagji K Rita, Chairman & MD, Inventure Growth & Securities.
Asian stocks closed mixed after data overnight showed an unexpected contraction in US manufacturing activity last month. Key indices from China and Taiwan closed down while from Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finished in positive terrain and South Korea settled stable. However, Europe was trading higher in early trades.
