Sensex slips below 18,000 points
By IANSTuesday, February 8, 2011
MUMBAI - A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday slipped in noon trade below the 18,000 points mark - for the first time in over five months - as selling intensified across the market breadth.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,141.51 points, was ruling at 17,891.04 points — down 146.15 points or 0.84 percent from its previous close at 18,037.19 points.
The Sensex slipped beflow 18,000-point mark last Aug 31 last year.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.91 percent lower at 5,346.75 points.
Broader markets saw heavier selling, with the BSE midcap index down 1.61 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 2.01 percent lower.
Consumer durables, realty and banking scrips were in the red, while IT stocks saw moderate gains.
The market breadth was negative, with 591 stocks advancing compared to 2,035 scrips on the decline. A total of 106 stocks remained unchanged.
The major gainers on the Sensex were Tata Power, Hindalco Industries, Bajaj Auto and Cipla. The losers included ONGC, M&M, Jaiprakash Associates and Tata Steel.
Other Asian markets were mixed as concerns over continuing political turmoil offset the positive sentiments, brought on by overnight gains on Wall Street.
The Japanese Nikkei moved up 0.41 percent to close at 10,635.98 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was trading 0.56 percent down at 23,421.54 points.
The Chinese markets were closed on account of the annual Lunar New Year holidays.
