The BSE benchmark Sensex today closed down by nearly 65 points to hit a new one-month low on selling mainly in consumer durables, and interest rate sensitive banking and realty sectors due to concerns over dip in manufacturing activities.
The 30-share index fell by 64.70 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 19,545.78. It had lost 605 points in the last two sessions.
Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty closed lower 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.
Brokers said the trading sentiment was hurt after data released by HSBC yesterday showed manufacturing sector's output fell in May, its first decline since March 2009, as order flow weakened and power outages affected the sector.
Also, selling pressure gathered momentum during fag-end hours of trade today and reduced the impact of firming trend in overseas markets, they added.
Out of the 30 BSE shares, 16 stocks declined led by Tata Motors, SBI and Jindal Steel, falling 2.34 per cent, 2.11 per cent and 1.98 per cent to Rs 306.45, Rs 2,026 and Rs 284.85, respectively.
However, drug majors Dr Reddy's and Cipla bucked the general weakening trend and rose by 1.88 per cent and 1.83 per cent to Rs 2,152.85 and Rs 375.25, respectively.
Dr Reddy's touched an intraday high of Rs 2,168.50.
Sectorally, the Consumer durable sector index suffered the most by losing 1.34 per cent to 7,516.86 followed by banking index by 0.95 per cent to 14,048.54, realty index by 0.96 per cent to 1,676.01 and auto index by 0.46 per cent to 11,021.39.
