Sensex down 251 points; capital goods hit (Roundup)

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed Friday's trade down 251 points or 0.91 percent.

The benchmark index lost about 1,151 points during the week, falling four sessions in the weekly trade.

According to analysts, the loses of about three-four percent during the week was brought about by the global concerns on slowdown, especially with the fall in demand for crude.

All the industry sector-based indices of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) closed in the red except for healthcare.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in capital goods, oil and gas, consumer durables, metal and banking sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 27,598.96 points, closed trade at 27,350.68 points, down 251.33 points or 0.91 percent from the previous day's close at 27,602.01 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,692.32 points and a low of 27,320.05 points in the intra-day trade.

"As the week closes, Indian markets devoid of any positive news taking beat with increase in risk perception," said Vinod Nair, head-fundamental research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

"Stocks sensitive to crude prices and global growth have taken a beating, including oil and gas and Metals, weighing the concerns over global growth outlook,"

The S&P BSE capital goods index fell 310.91 points, followed by oil and gas index which tanked by 265.03 points, consumer durables index ended 223.68 points lower, metal index lost 155.32 points and bankex shed 113.96 points.

However, healthcare index was up 27.68 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also ended in red. It was down 68.80 points or 0.83 percent at 8,224.10 points.

The major Sensex gainers were: Maruti Suzuki, up 1.30 percent at Rs.3,382.15; Bharti Airtel, up 1.19 percent at Rs.347.80; Infosys, up 0.96 percent at Rs.1,939.15; Sun Pharma, up 0.78 percent at Rs.842; and Coal India, up 0.44 percent at Rs.365.35.

The major Sensex losers were: GAIL, down 4.63 percent at Rs.423.20; Tata Steel, down 3.95 percent at Rs.403.40; ONGC, down 3.55 percent at Rs.336.95; Sesa Sterlite, down 2.91 percent at Rs.215.55; and BHEL, down 2.87 percent at Rs.247.