Sensex falls; RBI rate decision, outlook key

Reuters Market Eye - The BSE Sensex falls 0.33 percent, while the broader Nifty is 0.35 percent lower. Weakness in shares after a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report said room for further monetary easing in this fiscal year was 'very limited', denting hopes of a dovish stance.

The RBI, in a report released post trading hours on Thursday, citing still-high headline and consumer inflation, said macro-financial risks remained significant.

Rate sensitives like mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corp Ltd fall 0.75 percent, while State Bank of India Ltd is down 1 percent, in caution ahead of RBI policy.

Bharti Airtel Ltd shares, however, rise as much as 4.7 percent in early trade after the company agreed to sell a 5 percent stake to Qatar Foundation Endowment for $1.26 billion.

 

Cement stocks such as ACC Ltd and Ambuja Cements Ltd also gain 1.1 percent and 1.08 percent, respectively, ahead of results later in the day.

(Reporting by Archana Narayanan)