Equities close in red on weak global cues, selling pressure

Key Indian equity indices, which opened in the green on Thursday, closed on a lower note on the back of weak European markets and heavy selling pressure in banking, and oil and gas stocks.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 27.45 points or 0.28 per cent to provisionally close at 9,887.45 points (at 3.30 p.m.).

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 31,725.85 points, closed at 31,592.03 points -- down 79.68 points, or 0.25 per cent, from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 31,772.41 points and a low of 31,562.25 points during intra-day trade.

However, the BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1,503 advances and 1,151 declines.

On Wednesday, the benchmark indices closed on a higher note as positive global cues, coupled with healthy buying in healthcare, oil and gas and FMCG stocks, buoyed investors' sentiments.

The Nifty50 rose by 55.40 points, or 0.56 per cent, to close at 9,914.90 points, while the Sensex closed at 31,671.71 points -- up 174.33 points, or 0.55 per cent.

--IANS

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