Sensex falls to four-month low as FIIs head for the exits

By Abhishek Vishnoi and Rafael Nam

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The BSE Sensex and Nifty fell to their lowest in nearly four months on Monday, with indexes breaking below key support levels, as blue chips such as Tata Consultancy Services were routed in heavy selling by foreign investors exiting emerging markets.

The BSE Sensex fell 1.2 percent and is down 6.6 percent since its record close on January 23, roughly the start of an emerging market shakeout driven by fears of an economic slowdown in China and the Federal Reserve's gradual wind down of monetary stimulus.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold a net $640 million in shares over the previous seven sessions since January 23. Analysts worry selling could accelerate after overseas funds bought a net $20 billion worth of shares last year, leaving them overweight and thus prone to take profits.

The country also faces general elections due by May, creating another incentive to sell, according to these analysts, even as India had been tipped to avoid the worst of the selloff in emerging markets because of its improved current account deficit and build-up in currency reserves.

Both the Sensex and the broader Nifty fell below their 200-day moving averages on Tuesday, a breach of support which if sustained is typically seen as signalling more falls.

"FIIs are the drivers of our markets and outflows certainly worry me. One thing is for sure, there will be no new FII money in India till elections," said Paras Adenwala, principal portfolio manager at Capital Portfolio Advisor.

"I think differentiation with other emerging markets should happen provided India's election results are palatable. People would remain defensive till that time."

The BSE Sensex fell as much as 1.2 percent to its lowest since October 9. It was last down 0.64 percent, or 129 points, at 20,080.

The broader Nifty fell as much as 1.14 percent, also to its weakest since October 9. It was last down 0.6 percent, or 37.5 points, at 5,964.30.

Still, India is seen in a better position than last year when similar Fed tapering fears roiled emerging markets, sending the rupee to a record low and denting shares.

Domestic shares went on to post a sharp recovery in the second half of last year following measures by the government and the central bank to slash the current account deficit and boost currency reserves.

But on Tuesday, both indexes were headed for their seventh fall in eight sessions, tracking lower Asian markets a day after disappointing U.S. manufacturing data.

Software services exporters, which had hit record highs last month on expectations of an improving U.S. economy led decliners.

Tata Consultancy Services fell 2.1 percent, while Infosys Ltd lost 1.4 percent.

Among other blue chip shares heavyweight ITC Ltd fell 1.1 percent while ICICI Bank Ltd is down more 0.5 percent.

However, Divi's Laboratories gains 4.8 percent to hit an all-time high after its December-quarter earnings beat estimates.

(Editing by Eric Meijer)