FII tax issues,surcharge spook markets; Sensex plunges 291 pts

Markets gave thumbs-down to Finance Minister P Chidambaram's Budget 2013-14, with BSE benchmark Sensex nosediving 291 points to close below 19,000 level as FII tax issues and new surcharge on domestic corporates left investors disappointed.
After a higher start, the Sensex tumbled by 290.87 points, or 1.52 per cent to settle at 18,861.54, its lowest level since November 27.
In a volatile trade, the gauge recorded its second biggest loss this month after February 21 when it tumbled 317 points.
Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped by 103.85 points, or 1.79 per cent to 5,693.05.
"It is a bit frustrating to see a new set of concerns on FII taxation which could cause uncertainty unless quickly resolved," said Sandeep Nanda, CIO, Bharti AXA Life Insurance.

Banking stocks led by State Bank of India suffered heavy losses on concerns a liquidity in the banking system after the government set its target for gross market borrowing at Rs 6.29 trillion this fiscal was less than the market expectations.

The sentiment turned bearish on hike in some taxes despite reduction in Securities Transaction Tax and a higher global trend. Auto stocks were also down as the government announced hiking excise duty on luxury cars and their parts.
Stocks of SBI dropped by 5.80 per cent to Rs 2,085.40 and ICICI Bank by 3.86 per cent to Rs 1,040.30. HDFC Bank lost 2.67 per cent to Rs 625.60 and HDFC Ltd by 2.32 per cent to Rs 760.40.

In auto sector, Maruti Suzuki fell by 3.74 per cent to Rs 1,356.65, Mahindra and Mahindra by 2.27 per cent to Rs 871.05 and Hero MotoCorp by 0.32 per cent to Rs 1,667.80.