Sensex down, but recoups bulk of losses

MUMBAI, Oct 28: A key index of the Indian equities markets ended trade on Wednesday 0.36 per cent in the negative after recouping most of its intra-day losses. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,335.78 points, shut shop at 16,283.49 points, down 0.43 per cent or 69.91 points.

It closed on Tuesday at 16,353.4 points. The S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also in the red at 4,826.15 points, down 0.42 per cent from its last close. Broader market indices ended mixed, with the BSE midcap index rising 0.15 per cent but the BSE small cap index closed 0.44 per cent lower.

Among the sectors that saw most selling were consumer durables, banking, PSU and auto. The market breadth was negative with only 1,059 stocks advancing, as many as 1,627 declining and 71 remaining unchanged.

Among the gainers on the Sensex were Bharti Airtel, up 3.42 per cent at Rs 317.10; Wipro, up 3.19 per cent at Rs 623.45; Tata Motors, up 2.62 per cent at Rs 562.10, and Reliance Industries, up 2.28 per cent at Rs 2,035.65.

Among the losers were Maruti Suzuki, down 4.47 per cent at Rs 1,415.20; Tata Steel, down 3.73 per cent at Rs 482.60; HDFC, down 3.23 per cent at Rs 2,667, and ICICI Bank, down 3.12 per cent at Rs 810.20.