Disappointing macro data depresses equity markets

Disappointing macro-economic inflation data, along with negative global cues, depressed the Indian equity markets on Tuesday.

Consequently, the key indices of the Indian equity markets provisionally closed flat, as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in oil and gas, information technology (IT) and technology, entertainment and media (Teck) stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) dipped by 1.75 points or 0.02 per cent, at 8,108.85 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 26,482.50 points, provisionally closed at 26,395.71 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 1.06 points from the previous close at 26,396.77 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,485.45 points and a low of 26,264.81 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was skewed in favour of the bears -- with 1,546 declines and 952 advances.

Both the key Indian indices had ended on a lower note during the previous trade session on Monday. The barometer index had fallen by 238.98 points, or 0.90 per cent, while the NSE Nifty had slipped by 59.45 points or 0.73 per cent.

--IANS

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