Markets to remain closed on account of Holi

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE), Forex, money and all commodity markets, including bullion, oils and oilseeds, are closed today for the festival of Holi.

Markets worldwide witnessed selling pressure last week on risk aversion amid rising concerns in Ukraine and growth worries in China. A standoff between Russia and Ukraine over Crimean region weighed on the investors sentiment who now await a weekend referendum that may lead to Crimea's secession from Ukraine to join Russia.

In India, benchmark stock indices slid reflecting the global sentiment. However, a consistent fall in inflation over the last two months alongwith an expansion in industrial output gave hope to foreign investors who continued their buying spree this week. FIIs bought local stocks worth Rs 1993.1 crore, according to provisional SEBI data.

The 30-share Sensex index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) shed almost 110 points or 0.6% to close at 21,810 levels after touching an all-time high of 22023.98 in the week ended 14th March. Meanwhile, the National Stock Exchange's (NSE's) 50-stock Nifty index, after touching its life high level of 6562.85, closed 22 points or 0.3% lower at 6,504 levels.