Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, opened on a positive note today. However, the indices were unable to sustain their initial gains, lost momentum as the session progressed, and eventually closed moderately lower. The Sensex lost 151 points or 0.18 per cent to close at 84 thousand 628, while the Nifty fell 30 points or 0.11 per cent to settle at 25 thousand 936.

 

 

However, the broader market indices at the Bombay Stock Exchange closed with gains. The Mid-Cap index added over 0.1 per cent, and the Small-Cap index ended marginally up.

 

 

In the Sensex pack, 21 out of 30 companies edged downward. In the top laggards, Trent lost over one and half a per cent, ICICI Bank as well as Tech Mahindra, both dropped more than one per cent and Bajaj Finserv fell one per cent. Among the top gainers, Tata Steel increased almost three per cent, Larsen and Toubro rose more than 1.2 per cent and SBI advanced nearly 0.8 per cent.

 

 

Among the Sectoral indices at the BSE, 16 out of 21 sectors ended in negative territory. In the top laggards, Realty fell one per cent, Utilities dropped over 0.8 per cent and Focused IT declined more than 0.7 per cent. Among the top gainers, Metal advanced 1.3 per cent, Commodities rose over half a per cent and Industrails added 0.2 per cent. 

 

 

The overall market breadth at the BSE was negative as shares of 2,246 companies declined and shares of 1,910 companies advanced while shares of 176 companies remained unchanged.