Snapping a four-day uptrend, the BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday fell by 37 points in volatile trade as investors booked profits ahead of industrial and inflation data, amid a weak global trend.
The Sensex, which had gained 805 points in last four session on expectations of an interest rate cut, fell by 37.02 points, or 0.19 per cent to 19,646.21. The 30-share gauge had moved between 19,754.66 and 19,602.71 during the day.
Brokers said funds were seen booking profits from the recent rally ignoring the positive outlook for the interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India next week.
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Traders also shrugged off data showing that India’s exports for the second straight month in February grew by 4.25 per cent to $26.26 billion.
Investors were reducing their holdings ahead of industrial and inflation data, which was further influenced by a weak global trend, brokers added.
European stocks fell from a over four-year high and Italian bonds slumped after reports said Fitch Ratings downgraded the nation’s credit rating.
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The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty lost 3.35 points, or 0.06 per cent to 5,942.35, after shuttling between 5,971.20 and 5,930.35.
In 30-BSE index components, 19 stocks declined and 10 gained, while Cipla ended unchanged.
However, the falling trend was capped as Sun Pharma climbed to record levels before ending 1.79 per cent higher at Rs 832.90 and Mahindra and Mahindra surged by 1.10 per cent to Rs 912.30. Hindustan Unilver edged up 0.17 per cent to Rs 439.
The major losers were Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Auto, Reliance Industries, Hero MotoCorp, Jindal Steel and Tata Motors.
The consumer durable sector index suffered the most by losing 1.38 per cent to 7,163.57, followed by IT index by 0.67 per cent at 6,963.97. The metal index lost 0.56 per cent to 9,405.46 and oil and gas index by 0.45 per cent to 8,981.66.