Sensex slips into the red; metal, pharma stocks fall

Market benchmark Sensex made a U- turn and closed with losses today amid muted corporate earnings.

The 30-share index commenced above the 32,000-mark and hit a high of 32,057.12 in early trade. But the higher levels gave way as the gauge ended at 31,904.40, a loss of 50.95 points, or 0.16 per cent.

It had gained 244.36 points in the previous session.

The 50-share NSE Nifty settled down by 26.30 points, or 0.27 per cent, at 9,873.30. Intra-day, it touched a low of 9,863.45.

Sentiment turned weak as investors turned cautious ahead of quarterly earnings from heavy-weight Reliance Industries.