Market benchmark BSE Sensex tanked almost 183 points and the NSE Nifty broke below the crucial 8,200—mark in early trade due to profit-booking by investors after yesterday’s gains amid weak global cues.
The 30-share barometer declined by 182.71 points or 0.68 per cent to 26,543.63 with sectoral indices banking, teck, auto, IT, capital goods and metal, leading the fall.
The index had gained 330.63 points in the last session.
The NSE Nifty was also trading lower by 60.90 points, or 0.74 per cent, at 8,145.70.
Brokers said apart from profit-booking in Wednesday’s gainers, weak trend in other Asian bourses as US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen highlighted concerns about Britain’s upcoming vote on whether to exit the European Union, mainly dampened the sentiment.
The Federal Reserve has left interest rates on hold.
In the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei shed 1.10 per cent, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.27 per cent in early trade today. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 1.89 per cent.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.20 per cent lower in Thursday’s trade.
Asian markets mixed as BOJ stands pat
Asian markets were mostly lower Thursday and Tokyo’s benchmark dropped as the yen surged after the Bank of Japan chose to keep its monetary easing policies unchanged.
KEEPING SCORE - Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent at 15,744.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.8 percent to 20,094.59. China’s Shanghai Composite Index is down 0.4 percent at 2,875.35. Australia’s S&P ASX 200 gained 0.3 percent at 5,164.50 and South Korea’s KOSPI slid 0.5 percent at 1,958.45. The Philippines Stock Exchange Index rose and other Southeast Asian bourses were mixed.
BANK OF JAPAN- Japan’s central bank once again foiled speculation it might further ease monetary policy to help the faltering recovery. The Japanese yen jumped against the U.S. dollar, as officials warned they may intervene. A stronger yen, which hurts profits of exporters, tends to pull share prices lower.
WALL STREET- The stock market fell for a fifth straight day Wednesday as investors set aside the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and remained focused on next week’s vote on whether Britain will remain in the European Union or opt for a “Brexit” from the EU. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 34.65 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,640.17. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 3.82 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,071.50 and the Nasdaq composite fell 8.62 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,834.93.
ANALYST’S VIEWPOINT- “The U.S. Federal Reserve declined to lift interest rates at this month’s meeting, explicitly adding to investor fears around a potential Brexit,” said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.
THE FED- The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it is keeping interest rates unchanged in light of an uncertain job market, offering no hints of when its next rate hike might occur. With the jobs situation and Britain’s status obscuring the outlook, the Fed said in a statement that it needs a clearer economic picture before resuming the rate hikes it began in December.
OIL- U.S. crude lost 43 cents at $47.58 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell 48 cents and closed at $48.01 on Wednesday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, shed 30 cents at $48.67. Its price fell 86 cents on Wednesday, when it closed at $48.97 a barrel in London.
CURRENCIES - The dollar fell to 104.66 yen from 105.98 the previous day. The euro rose to $1.1268 from $1.1268.
