Global cues weigh heavy, Sensex down 67 points (Third Lead)

Negative global cues, coupled with disappointing macro-data, subdued Indian equity markets on Tuesday.

This led to a barometer index of the Indian equity markets provisionally closing the day's trade in the red -- down 67 points -- a day after it plunged to a new four-month low.

Initially, both the bellwether indices opened on a firm note in sync with their Asian peers.

However, they soon receded on the back of negative international cues from the US, rising geo-political tensions in the Middle East and disappointing macro-data.

Besides, investors were seen cautious regarding the upcoming macro-data on industrial output, retail inflation and the third-quarter earning results which start from January 14.

Nevertheless, some value buying and mildly positive Asian markets soothed investors' nerves.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) shed 67 points, or 0.26 percent.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended the day's trade flat. It was down 13 points, or 0.16 percent, at 7,778.55 points.

The Sensex of the S&P BSE, which opened at 25,744.70 points, provisionally closed at 25,556.11 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 67.24 points, or 0.26 percent from the previous day's close at 25,623.35 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 25,766.76 points and a low of 25,513.75 points in intra-day trade.

The Sensex closed the previous session on January 4 down 538 points, or 2.05 percent, while the Nifty was lower by 172 points, or 2.16 percent.

Nonetheless, the S&P BSE market breadth favoured the bulls -- with 2,056 advances and 863 declines.