Sensex retreats for a second day after ninth straight life-high

Reuters Market Eye - The BSE Sensex is trading 0.4 percent lower while the broader Nifty is down 0.37 on profit taking after a record-hitting rally.

Investors took profit in most blue-chip stocks after shares hit their ninth consecutive record high on Thursday and on caution ahead of key U.S. jobs data later in the day.

State Bank of India was down 1.2 percent while Oil and Natural Gas Corp was down 2.3 percent.

Market participants also seen paring of positions ahead the general elections scheduled to start next week.

Asian markets were settling for a subdued session on Friday as investors counted down the hours to the U.S. jobs report, while the euro nursed a grudge after the European Central Bank opened the door to more aggressive easing, albeit not just yet.

Overseas investors bought a net $119.11 million worth of shares on Thursday, bringing the total since February to nearly $3.5 billion.

(Reporting by Indulal PM)