Sensex ends 98 points lower; IT stocks shine

After gyrating 657 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index settled 97.92 points or 0.25 per cent lower at 38,756.63.

Domestic equity benchmark Sensex pared early gains to end 98 points lower on Monday, tracking losses in index majors HDFC twins, Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel.

After gyrating 657 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index settled 97.92 points or 0.25 per cent lower at 38,756.63.

The NSE Nifty slipped 24.40 points or 0.21 per cent to close at 11,440.05.

https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png

Bharti Airtel was the top loser in the Sensex pack, falling over 3 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, PowerGrid, SBI, HDFC Bank and Sun Pharma.

HCL Tech was the top gainer, rallying around 10 per cent, after the company said its revenue and operating margin for the September quarter are expected to be “meaningfully better” than the top end of its previous forecast.

TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Titan too ended with up to 5 per cent gains.

“Indian markets started off with handsome gains not only following positive Asian and global market peers but also positive domestic sentiments,” said Narendra Solanki, Head- Equity Research (Fundamental), Anand Rathi.

However, during the afternoon session, the gains were lost and benchmarks fell into the negative zone as selling was witnessed in banks and financial stocks, he added.

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo ended with gains, while stock exchanges in Europe opened on a tepid note.

Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.85 per cent lower at USD 39.49 per barrel.

In the forex market, the rupee pared some of its early gains and closed 5 paise higher at 73.48 against the US dollar.