Mumbai, Jul 21 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities Thursday closed 66 points lower on a largely dull trading day. Broader markets too edged lower as traders booked profits in realty and banking stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 18,514.65 points and closed at 18,436.19, down 66.19 points or 0.36 percent from its previous close at 18,502.38 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange closed in the red as well at 5,541.6 points, down 0.46 percent.
Broader markets too closed on a sombre note. The BSE midcap index fell 0.43 percent, while the BSE smallcap index slipped 0.45 percent.
Consumer durables, realty and banking stocks fell, while IT stocks saw gains.
At the BSE, the market breadth was negative with 1,187 stocks advancing, 1,643 scrips on the decline and 127 remaining unchanged.
There were only four gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex: Hero Honda, up 1.57 percent at Rs.1,788.85; Tata Motors, up 0.71 percent at Rs.975.55; Hindustan Unilever, up 0.6 percent at Rs.333.10 and Wipro, up 0.58 percent at Rs.400.90.
Top losers included Reliance Communications, down 4.24 percent at Rs.90.45; RIL, down 1.66 percent at Rs.860.75; Jaiprakash Associates, down 1.39 percent at Rs.74.65; and HDFC Bank, down 1.3 percent at Rs.496.30.
According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth $7 million Thursday.
Asian markets mostly ended on a subdued note, as traders took a breather after a rally in the previous session.
The Japanese Nikkei Thursday closed flat at 10,010.39 points.
The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange also closed lacklustre at 21,987.29 points, while the Chinese Shanghai composite index moved 1.01 percent lower at 2,765.89 points.
Among European bourses, Britain's FTSE 100 was ruling 0.27 percent down at 5,838.2 points, and the French CAC 40 was ruling 0.12 percent lower at 3,750.19 points.
The German DAX was down 0.16 percent at 7,209.95 points.