Disappointing macroeconomic data and outflow of foreign funds subdued the Indian equity markets on Thursday.
However, a major sell-off was averted as investors remained optimistic about a normal spell of monsoon rains and the GST roll out.
The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE fell by eight points.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) inched lower by 5.15 points or 0.05 per cent at 9,616.10 points.
The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 31,117.09 points, closed at 31,137.59 points. It lost 8.21 points or 0.03 per cent from the previous day’s close at 31,145.80 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 31,213.12 points and a low of 31,062.02 during the intra-day trade.
The BSE market breadth, however, was bullish — with 1,396 advances and 1,291 declines.
“Markets ended with marginal losses on Thursday for the second consecutive range-bound session,” Deepak Jasani, Head – Retail Research, HDFC Securities, told IANS.
“Broad market indices like the BSE Mid-Cap and Small Cap indices rose and outperformed the main indices. Market breadth was positive on the BSE/NSE.”
Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said: “Dismal march quarter GDP numbers and weak manufacturing PMI data revived growth fears and impact of demonetisation.”
“PSU banks will again in focus on the backdrop of RBI’s two day policy meeting and Finance Minister’s meeting with the banking chiefs to resolve NPA issues later in the month.”
On the currency front, the rupee remained flat and marginally rose by four paise to 64.47 per US dollar from its previous close of 64.50-51.
In investments, provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold stocks worth Rs 517.31 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought scrips worth Rs 171.65 crore.
According to Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, FMCG and banking stocks witnessed strong gains.
“Top sector today was FMCG followed by PSU banks and pharma,” Desai elaborated.
“Nifty is expected to trade sideways short term and banking sector will remain volatile with June 7, 2017 RBI credit policy meeting coming up.”
Sector-wise, the S&P BSE oil and gas index declined by 224.86 points, the banking index by 127.14 points and the energy index by 38.46 points.
On the other hand, the S&P capital goods index rose by 161.80 points, the healthcare index by 158.63 points, and the FMCG index by 118.75 points.
