Snapping a four-day rally, the BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday fell over 34 points from its 19-month high to close at 19,305.32 on emergence of profit-selling by investors ahead of the impending decision in Parliament on FDI in retail.
The Sensex, which had rallied 835 points in last four sessions, fell by 34.58 points, or 0.18 per cent to settle at 19,305.32. Last week, the gauge had posted its biggest gain in almost six months on heavy capital inflows.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty on Monday fell by 8.90 points, 0.15 per cent to close at 5,870.95, after touching the day’s low of 5,854.60.
Brokers said after a steep rise of 4.5 per cent in benchmark indices in the past week, stocks attracted profit booking and this mainly halted the strong rally.
Among Sensex stocks, the downfall on Monday was led by banking sector as HDFC Bank, the second-largest private lender dropped 2.37 per cent.
Investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the vote on FDI. The Rajya Sabha has decided to have a discussion on December 6 and 7 on the issue, soon after the Lok Sabha which will have a similar discussion on December 4 and 5.
