Mumbai, Jul 18 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Monday closed 54 points lower as negative global cues kept trading subdued. Loss makers were led by IT and auto stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 18,592.19 points and closed at 18,507.04, down 54.88 points or 0.3 percent from its previous close of 18,561.92 points.
It had moved up to an intra-day high of 18,622.56 points in early trade but later slipped. It touched an intra-day low of 18,469.53 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also edged lower at 5,567.05 points, down 0.25 percent.
Broader markets too closed flat. The BSE midcap index nudged up 0.22 percent while the BSE smallcap index was up 0.37 percent.
The market breadth at the BSE was still tilted towards the positive with 1,546 stocks advancing, 1,322 on the decline and 144 remaining unchanged.
Realty, consumer durables and metal stocks were among the top gainers, while auto, IT and healthcare scrips ended on the losing side.
Among the gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were: Hindalco Industries, up 2.94 percent at Rs. 181.80; BHEL, up 2.41 percent at Rs. 1,970.20; Tata Power, up 1.89 percent at Rs.1,288; and HDFC Bank, up 1.02 percent at Rs.514.20.
Losers included Reliance Infra, down 0.57 percent at Rs.573; DLF, down 0.56 percent at Rs.234.35; Jaiprakash Associates, down 0.52 percent at Rs.76.90; and Sterlite Industries, down 0.52 percent at Rs.163.90.
Worries after some European banks came short on the stress test and debt woes of the US kept global markets edgy.
Japanese markets were closed Monday.
The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange closed 0.32 percent lower at 21,804.75 points, while the Chinese Shanghai composite index was ended on a flat note at 2,816.69 points.
Among European bourses, Britain's FTSE 100 was ruling 1 percent down at 5,785.02 points, and the French CAC 40 was ruling 1.24 percent lower at 3,680.39 points.
The German DAX was down 1.1 percent at 7,141 points.