Sensex closes in red; IT stocks down

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets ended in the negative territory Wednesday, as information technology (IT), technology, entertainment and media (TECK) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) came under sustained selling pressure.

However, capital goods, metal, automobile, bank and consumer goods sectors rallied.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 24,909.03 points, ended at 24,805.83 points (provisional) -- down 52.76 points or 0.21 percent from the previous day's close at 24,858.59 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 24,925.90 points and a low of 24,773.93 points in trade.

The S&P BSE IT index dropped by 107.59 points, TECK index was down 48.94 points and FMCG index was lower by 15.55 points.

However, BSE capital goods index gained 194.68 points, followed by metal index which was up 154.27 points, automobile index increased by 97.25 points, bank index was higher by 90.69 points and consumer durables index surged 64.61 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too closed in negative territory. The Nifty closed trade 13.60 points or 0.18 percent down at 7,402.25 points.