Sensex down 112 points, capital goods, bank stocks hit

A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday recouped some of its intra-day losses and closed 112 points down — the lowest since Aug 14, 2009 — following sharp selling in capital goods, banking and realty scrips. Negative cues from Asian bourses added to the negative sentiment.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,440.1 points, closed at 15,379.34 points, 112.01 points or 0.72 percent down, from its previous close at 15,491.35 points.

The Sensex had fallen to an intra-day low of 15,190.74 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended in the red at 4,613.1 points, down 0.83 percent or 38.5 points from its previous close.

Broader markets lost more with the BSE 500 index slipping 1.16 percent. The BSE midcap index ended 1.99 percent lower while the BSE smallcap index closed 2.5 percent lower.

The market breadth was negative with 726 stocks advancing, compared to 2,066 on the decline. Another 91 remained unchanged.

Prominent losers on the 30-scrip Sensex included L&T, down 4.06 percent at Rs.1,032.10; BHEL, down 3.7 percent at Rs.231.55; Jindal Steel, down 3.32 percent at Rs.499.15; and DLF, down 3.05 percent at Rs.188.95.

The stocks on the benchmark Sensex which gained were Tata Motors, up 4.44 percent at Rs.179.90; Coal India, up 1.89 percent at Rs.307.15; RIL, up 1.78 percent at Rs.735.85; and Hindustan Unilever, up 1.07 percent at Rs.396.25.

Asian markets fell sharply as global credit rating agency Fitch said it was doubtful whether a fiscal discipline accord entered into by European countries would be able to stave off a debt debacle in the eurozone.

Also, a slew of ratings downgrade of eurozone economies by the likes of Moody’s raised concern of investors.

The Japanese Nikkei slipped 1.26 percent to close at 8,296.12 points.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng moved down 1.18 percent and ended at 18,070.21 points, while the Chinese Shanghai composite index edged 0.3 percent lower to close at 2,218.24 points.

European markets leapt into the green after a weak start.

Britain’s FTSE 100 was ruling 0.08 percent up at 5,391.88 points, while the German DAX was trading 0.64 percent higher at 5,738.12 points.

The French CAC 40 was ruling 0.31 percent higher at 2,981.52 points.