Sensex closes in the red for second day in a row (Roundup)

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of Indian equities fell for the second straight day Thursday, closing 80 points lower on profit booking.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,944.3, closed at 19,861.01 points, down 80.71 points or 0.4 percent, from its previous close at 19,941.72 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 5,959.55 points, down 0.52 percent.

Broader markets were also quiet. The BSE midcap closed 0.21 percent down while the BSE smallcap index ended flat.

The market breadth was negative with 1,375 scrips advancing, compared to 1,591 stocks declining and 80 remaining unchanged.

FMCG, capital goods stocks saw some gains, but selling was seen in energy, realty and banking scrips.

Total traded turnover on exchanges slipped by more than Rs.40,000 crore compared to previous day turnover. Today’s turnover stood at Rs. 132,628 crore.

The major gainers on the Sensex were Hindustan Unilever, up 1.71 percent at Rs.302.75; ONGC, up 1.49 percent at Rs.1,421.40; ITC, up 1.32 percent at Rs.176.60; and M&M, up 1.11 percent at Rs.690.55.

Among the losers were: ICICI Bank, down 2.25 percent at Rs.1,099.25; Reliance Industries, down 2.11 percent at Rs.997.70; Bharti Airtel, down 1.89 percent at Rs.355.35; and Cipla, down 1.64 percent at Rs.314.10.

According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors (FIIs) poured in $330.63 million into the equities markets Thursday.

Most other Asian markets were closed Thursday for mid-autumn festival holidays.

European bourses fell Thursday with profit booking gaining strength.

At closing bell here, the FTSE 100 was trading 0.77 percent lower at 5,509.07 points.

The German DAX was ruling 0.76 percent down at 6,161.28 points and the French CAC 40 was trading 1.1 percent lower at 3,694.09 points.