Markets bore the brunt of a worsening global risk environment as the benchmark BSE Sensex today snapped its 2-day rally and fell almost 382 points to close at over a 2-month low of 25,482.52.
In addition, lacklustre September quarterly earnings kept investors cautious, who looked forward to US Fed minutes of the last policy meeting to decide on their future course of action. Bouts of profit-booking following recent gains and sustained capital outflows dampened stocks further, brokers said.
Hit by heavy selling in blue-chips, the BSE Sensex stayed in the negative zone for most part of the day and closed down 381.95 points, or 1.48 per cent, at 25,482.52 -- a level last seen on September 8.
The 50-share NSE Nifty broke below the 7,800-mark and ended at 7,731.80, down 105.75 points, or 1.35 per cent.
A weaker rupee at 66.30 a dollar added to the downbeat mood.
"Lingering concerns about earnings and the worsening global risk environment have hit blue chips across the board. The broader market will remain range-bound unless we see clarity on the Fed's next move," said Vijay Singhania, Founder-Director, TradeSmart Online, a leading discount brokerage firm.
Hindalco was the hardest hit as it plunged 5.07 per cent.
Technology stocks continued to feel the heat, with the worst-hit BSE IT index down 2.29 per cent.
Infosys, which warned of margin pressure in the third quarter on Monday, slumped 3.89 per cent while TCS tumbled over 1.61 per cent.
In a departure from the trend, Coal India surged 0.83 per cent after the Cabinet approved sale of 10 per cent in the company.
The broader markets cut a sorry figure too as the BSE small-cap index edged lower by 0.71 per cent and mid-cap 0.68 per cent.
There were heightened fears of selling as foreign investors net sold shares worth Rs 492.45 crore yesterday, provisional data showed.
On the global front, Asian markets ended lower, with Shanghai shares sliding by 1.01 per cent.
Europe was also down in early trade as investors held themselves back before the release of Fed minutes.
"Markets took a pause after four consecutive positive
sessions following weakness in global equities. Investors seem to be worried as the government lowered its GDP growth forecast... Further, continued weakness in commodity prices globally has raised concerns," explained Gaurav Jain, Director, Hem Securities.
Key indices in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan moved down by up to 1.90 per cent.
The market breadth turned negative as 1,401 ended lower, 1,302 closed higher while 203 ruled steady. The total turnover went down to about Rs 3,132.74 crore, from Rs 3,149.45 crore yesterday.
"We expect the market to be volatile in the near term due to domestic cues as uncertainty prevails on passage of GST and challenges remain on the fiscal deficit front," said Vinod Nair, Head-Fundamental Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd.
