Sensex closes in red; metal stocks down

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday provisionally closed in the red - falling 29 points or 0.11 percent, as metal, capital goods and automobile scrip came during heavy selling pressure.

However, healthy buying spree was observed in healthcare, realty and consumer durables sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,902.71 points, closed trade at 27,886.50 points (at 3.30 p.m.), down 29.38 points or 0.11 percent from the previous day's close at 27,915.88 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,980.93 points and a low of 27,739.56 points in the intra-trade.

The S&P metal index dropped by 147.10 points, capital goods index fell by 114.18 points and automobile index went down by 101.37 points.

However, healthcare index gained by 346.07 points, followed by realty index which rose by 39.49 points and consumer durables index was up 32.50 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed the day's trade in the red. It was down 0.02 percent or 1.30 points at 8,337 points.