Samvat 2068 ended on a cautious note as the BSE benchmark Sensex, on Monday, lost 13.3 points to close at 18670.34 on selling over sticky retail-level inflation, weak industrial output and record-high trade deficit.
The Sensex, which had lost 219 points in the past two days, resumed a tad higher but moved in a narrow range of over 140 points before concluding 13.34 points lower at 18670.34—extending the string of losses to three straight days.
In the 30-share index , 19 stocks declined led by the two most influential stocks, ITC and RIL that fell over one per cent each. Tata Steel, which fell 1.93 per cent, was the worst performer among the Sensex constituents. The falling trend was cushioned to some extent as HDFC Bank, SBI, TCS and Bharti Airtel logged 0.8-1.4 per cent gains.
Brokers said investors were seen adjusting their portfolios ahead of a special ‘Muhurat’ trading on Diwali on Tuesday, and a holiday on Wednesday. Meanwhile, non-index entity United Spirits, on Monday, surged by 34.93 per cent to Rs.1,834.60 after Diageo agreed to buy a controlling stake last week.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty, eased by 2.55 points, or 0.04 per cent to close at 5683.70.
There will be a special 75-minute ‘Muhurat’ trading on Diwali between 1545 hours and 1700 hours to start Samvat 2069.
The Sensex has risen by around 8.2 per cent in Samvat 2068.
