Sensex drops 123 pts to end below 19K level; Bharti, SBI fall

The BSE benchmark index Sensex today closed below the key 19,000 level for the first time in three weeks due to across the board selling triggered by concerns that economic reforms may be derailed in the wake of DMK withdrawing support to the government.
The 30-share index fell for the fourth straight session to close at 18,884.19 points, down 123.91 points. The Sensex has tanked by 3.51 per cent or 686.25 points in the four sessions.
"Investors are apprehensive that the ongoing political uncertainty may derail reforms and in the process delay economic recovery," said Sanjeev Zarbade, Vice President- Private Client Group Research, Kotak Securities.

Bharti Airtel fell the most by 4.18 per cent among the 30 Sensex stocks, followed by SBI which dropped by 3.87 per cent.
The 50-issue CNX Nifty of the NSE also ended below the 5,700-mark at a fresh two-week low of 5,694.40, down by 51.55 points, or 0.90 per cent, over previous close.
Today, five DMK ministers submitted their resignation to the Prime Minister, raising concerns over the fate of key reform bills like pension and insurance which are pending in Parliament.

Second-line stocks were at the receiving end on heavy sell-off by retail investors ahead of expiry of derivatives contract on March 28 as the BSE and the NSE will remain closed on on March 27 and 29 on account of 'Holi' and 'Good Friday', respectively, brokers said.

They said investor confidence also dampened as RBI yesterday, while cutting short-term lending rate, said that there is limited room for further monetary easing.
In 30-BSE index components, 19 stocks declined. Gains in Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Hero MotoCorp, Hindustan Uniliver and ITC capped the losses to some extent.