Equity indices fall for 4th day; auto, healthcare stocks down

The key Indian equity indices on Thursday tumbled for the fourth consecutive session as negative global cues and heavy selling pressure in automobile, healthcare and capital goods stocks hampered investors' sentiments.

According to market observers, the key indices were pulled lower as index heavyweights like Tata Motors, Dr. Reddy's Lab, Sun Pharma and Adani Ports, among others, faced intense selling pressure.

The NSE Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) tested the psychologically important 9,800-level, to provisionally close lower by 60.35 points, or 0.61 per cent, at 9,847.70 points (at 3.30 p.m.).

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 31,750.73 points, closed at 31,531.33 points -- down 266.51 points, or 0.84 per cent, from its previous close at 31,797.84 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 31,756.27 points and a low of 31,422.80 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth heavily favoured bears -- with 2,181 declines and 390 advances.

On Wednesday, the benchmark indices closed on a subdued note on the back of weak global markets and outflow of foreign funds.

The NSE Nifty50 closed 70.50 points, or 0.71 per cent, lower at 9,908.05 points, while the Sensex closed at 31,797.84 points -- down 216.35 points, or 0.68 per cent.

--IANS

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