Sensex ends lower for fifth straight session

A benchmark index of India's stock markets closed in the red for the fifth consecutive session Friday, due to selling pressure in capital goods, auto and metal stocks.

The 30-scrip S&P Sensex (sensitive index) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 22,493.59 points, ended the day at 22,403.89 points, down 0.06 percent or 13.91 points from its previous day's close at 22,417.80 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,575.62 points and low of 22,386.95 points in the intra-day. This is the fifth consecutive session of drop in the Sensex.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed in the red. The Nifty ended the day 0.02 percent or 1.6 point down at 6,694.80 points after trading in the positive terrain most part of the day.

There was heavy selling pressure in capital goods, metal, auto and power stocks.

The BSE capital goods index slumped 1.78 percent. Metal index fell 1.41 percent; auto index declined 0.51 percent and power index closed 0.32 percent lower.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) slumped 2.5 percent. SSLT fell 2.49 percent. Other major Sensex losers included Tata Steel, down 2.46 percent at Rs.390.75; Hindalco Inds, down 1.82 percent at Rs.132.25; Maruti Suzuki, down 1.69 percent at Rs.1885.50; and SBI down 1.59 percent at Rs.2,045.80.

Prominent Sensex gainers included: Tata Power, up 2.43 percent at Rs.79.95; Infosys, up 1.34 percent at Rs.3,219.80; Coal India, up 1.30 percent at Rs.295.50; Dr Reddy's Lab, up 1.19 percent at Rs.2,737.45; and HDFC, up 1.17 percent at Rs.908.05.