In volatile trade, the BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday erased the initial 129-point gain to settle with a loss of around 10 points at 18, 329.32 as gains in M&M and HDFC were outweighed by losses in Infosys, SBI and RIL.
After a higher start at 18,422.69, the index rose to 18,467.91 - a rise of 128.91 points over previous closing as overnight gains in US markets buoyed sentiments.
However, the market slowly frittered away all the gains to finally close 9.68 points lower at 18,329.32.
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Brokers said the market wiped off all initial gains on fall in stocks of Infosys (1.46 pc), SBI (1.39 pc) and RIL (1.27 pc) on profit-selling.
Hindalco, Bajaj Auto and Sterlite Industries were also among the 17 losers in 30-share Sensex.
Among the 13 winners on Tuesday in Sensex, M&M rose by 3.25 per cent, HDFC (2.02 pc) and Tata Power (1.81 pc) on heavy buying.
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Broadly investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Winter session of Parliament where government is planning to introduce key bills and use it as an opportunity to showcase its resolve, said traders.
Talk of a no-confidence motion or a vote on FDI issue also made investors avoid fresh positions, they added.
However, the 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty edged up by 0.15 points to 5,571.55, after touching the day’s high of 5,613.70.
“Volatility marked the trend as indecision continued on the bourses,” said Nidhi Sarswat, Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio.
A weak opening in European markets further influenced the market activities amid European stocks falling as Moody’s Investors Service downgraded France’s rating.
Across BSE indices, the realty sector index suffered the most by losing 3.02 per cent, followed by oil and gas index (0.88 per cent) and the metal index (0.73 per cent).