Facebook Pixel Code

BSE Sensex down 173 pts on weak eco data and Ukraine tensions

BSE benchmark Sensex today fell over 173 points to end below the 21,000-mark.

The BSE benchmark Sensex today fell over 173 points, its first drop in six sessions, to end below the 21,000-mark on economic growth concerns and global meltdown due to fears of war between Ukraine and Russia.

Markets Top Gainers, Markets Top Losers

Healthcare, IT, Power, Auto and Capital Goods shares were among the hardest hit. Overall, 10 of the 12 BSE sectoral barometers ended in the red. Consumer durables and oil & gas shares, however, bucked the weak general trend.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), ICICI Bank and Sun Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries led 25 scrips in 30-share Sensex down. Dr Reddys and Bhel were biggest losers. However, RIL and ITC were among the five counters that advanced.

The BSE Sensex lost 173.47 points, or 0.82 per cent, to close at 20,946.65, snapping a five-day winning trend where it gained over 583 points. Also, the 50-scrip NSE index Nifty dropped by 55.50 points, or 0.88 per cent, to end at 6,221.45.

Brokers said besides profit-booking by speculators after recent gains, subdued economic growth data for the December quarter and a weak trend in global markets affected the mood.

Global stocks tumbled as tension over Russia’s military advance into Ukraine and possible sanctions by Western governments intensified. Oil surged above USD 104 per barrel on concern Russian supplies could get disrupted. Gold was up 2 per cent overseas on safe haven buying, said analysts.

“Political uncertainties developing within Russia and Ukraine led to cautious approach. Russian indices were trading lower by almost 10 per cent after interest rates were hiked by 150 bps by the country’s central bank. Other Asian and European indices were also seen under pressure,” said Nidhi Saraswat, Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio.

In the BSE, the healthcare sector index suffered the most by losing 1.55 per cent, followed by IT index (down 1.25 per cent), Power (1.18 per cent) and Auto index (1.18 per cent).

Auto scrips were weak after tepid February sales.

Last week, data showed the economy grew below expectations at 4.7 per cent in October-December. Growth in key infrastructure sector also slowed to 1.6 per cent in January.

BSE Sensex snaps five-day winning streak on Ukraine tensions

(Reuters) BSE Sensex fell on Monday to snap a five-day winning streak as stocks of blue chips such as ICICI Bank declined as part of an emerging markets retreat over fears of military tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

ICICI Bank Ltd provisionally fell 1.6 percent, while HCL Technologies Ltd slumped 4.6 percent.

The benchmark BSE index provisionally closed down 0.92 percent, while the broader NSE Nifty index ended down 0.95 percent after rising 3.05 percent in the previous five sessions.

Also Check:

Live: BSE Sensex

Check prices: All Models

Buying used Car?

Get live Share Market updates, Stock Market Quotes, and the latest India News and business news on Financial Express. Download the Financial Express App for the latest finance news.

First published on: 03-03-2014 at 16:04 IST
Market Data
Market Data
Today’s Most Popular Stories ×