Sensex sees worst week in 3 years

The BSE Sensex fell for a fifth session in six on Friday to post its worst weekly loss in three years as oil explorers continued to slump after Brent crude prices slipped to below $63 a barrel.

The relentless slide in crude prices is fuelling concerns about global economic growth, and also dragged stocks in Europe lower, while limiting gains in Asian markets.

Caution also prevailed ahead of consumer inflation data due after the close of markets. Retail prices were expected to have risen 4.5 per cent from a year earlier, the slowest monthly advance since the series was released in 2012.

Foreign investors have now sold $141.5 million worth of shares in Indian markets in the last three sessions, regulatory data showed.

The Nifty has fallen 4.68 per cent so far this month, putting it on track to snap two months of gains.

The benchmark BSE Sensex ended 0.9 per cent lower at 27,350.68 and was down 3.9 per cent for the week to post its worst weekly performance since December 2011.

The broader Nifty closed down 0.8 per cent at 8,224.10. For the week it lost 3.7 per cent, recording its worst weekly performance since mid-July.

Shares of GAIL (India) fell 4.4 per cent, while Oil and Natural Gas Corp and Reliance Industries Ltd slipped 3.5 per cent and 2.63 per cent, respectively.

Software services exporter Tata Consultancy Services, fell 1.66 per cent as traders speculated the company would announce some restructuring, which might impact the earnings outlook.

After market hours, TCS said in an analyst call it expected Q3 revenues to be in line and kept its EBIT margin band unchanged.

Other IT stocks such as Wipro Ltd ended down 0.58 per cent and HCL Technologies Ltd closed 2.55 per cent lower.

Meanwhile, caution ahead of the consumer inflation data later in the day dragged lenders including State Bank of India down 0.86 per cent, ICICI Bank Ltd 0.47 per cent, and Punjab National Bank down 0.51 per cent.

Among the gainers, telecom shares such as Bharti Airtel ended up 1.35 per cent on media reports of inclusion of additional spectrum auction.