Caution ahead of macro-data release subdue key indices

Key Indian equity indices on Tuesday were dragged lower by heavy selling pressure in interest sensitive stocks like banking, auto and capital goods.

According to market observers, investors traded with caution ahead of the release of macroeconomic data points -- the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data -- to be released later during the day.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged lower by 82.10 points or 0.80 per cent to provisionally close (at 3.30 p.m.) at 10,240.15 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 33,426.59 points, traded at 33,227.99 points -- down 227.80 points or 0.68 per cent -- from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,458.41 points and a low of 33,179.75 points during the intra-day trade so far.

The BSE market breadth was bearish -- 1,684 declines and 997 advances.

Coal India, Hero MotoCorp, Cipla, Tata Steel and Tata Consultancy Services were amongst the top laggards on the BSE market breadth.

On Monday, the key indices closed on a higher note as positive global cues, alongwith healthy buying in auto, IT and healthcare stocks, lifted market sentiment.

The NSE Nifty50 edged higher by 56.60 points or 0.55 per cent to close at 10,322.25 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 33,455.79 points -- up 205.49 points or 0.62 per cent.

--IANS

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