Sensex off record high levels;oil cos plunge after excise hike

The benchmark BSE Sensex today fell from all-time level to settle the day 68 points lower at 27,940.64 as investors became cautious after excise duty on petrol and diesel was hiked even as inflation cooled off and factory output grew in signs of economic recovery.
The Sensex rose in early trade on hopes of rate cut after inflation softened to 5.52 per cent in October. Three-month high industrial production growth of 2.5 per cent in September also boosted the sentiment, brokers said.
But soon profit-booking emerged after the government hiked excise duty on petrol and diesel prices by Rs 1.50 a litre each to mop up an additional Rs 13,000 crore in revenue. Some investors fear this may weaken the fight against inflation, a broker said.

After a highly volatile trade, the bellwether index finally settled the day at 27,940.64, showing a loss of 68.26 points or 0.24 per cent from its yesterday's close, snapping three days of rise.
The 50-share Nifty also lost by 25.45 points or 0.30 per cent to 8,357.85.
Yesterday, the benchmark index had ended at an all-time closing high of 28,008.90 and also hit intra-day high of 28,126.48 on sustained foreign funds inflows driven by economic reforms undertaken by the government recently.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors bought shares net of Rs 459.47 crs yesterday as per the provisional figures issued by stock exchanges.

The 30-share index in the previous three days had gained by 140.27 points or 0.50 per cent in the last three days.
"Indian equity markets cheered CPI and IIP with benchmark indices opening higher.... But profit-taking was seen at higher levels.
"OMC (oil marketing companies) stocks witnessed profit booking .... Most banking shares were also weak on the index while IT and pharma stocks lifted the index," said Kiran Kumar Kavikondala, Director & CEO, WealthRays Securities.
Stocks of state-run BPCL, HPCL and Indian Oil Corp ended up to 6.11 per cent lower. ONGC was among the biggest Sensex losers, plunging by 2.03 per cent, while RIL fell by 0.53 per cent.