External factors pulling down markets; new corporate borrowing rules by Sept, says Ajay Tyagi
The markets are expected to remain choppy as investors adjust their asset allocations amid rising interest rates
Currently, mid-caps trade at premium valuations to the blue-chip stocks
Overseas investors bought a net $8.57 billion in Indian shares and bonds in March
The Sensex fell 0.8 per cent and the NSE Nifty 50 Index lost 0.7 per cent at the close, ending a two-day advance
State-run banks advanced while consumer companies and automakers declined
Indian stocks swung between gains and losses after the benchmark gauge advanced to an 11-month high. Energy companies and metal producers climbed while industrials declined. Oil & Natural Gas Corp. climbed to a six-month high as the government is said to have allowed refiners to increase kerosene prices every month, a move that would ease the subsidy burden borne by the largest explorer. A gauge of energy companies climbed to a 11-month high. Tata Steel Ltd was the best performer on the S&P BSE Sensex. Larsen & Toubro and Maruti Suzuki India dropped more than one per cent each.The Sensex closed little changed after changing direction at least 15 times. The gauge has risen 21 per cent from a low in February, fitting the definition of a bull market, helped by forecasts for above-normal rain after back-to-back droughts and a recovery in company earnings.The index's relative strength index has risen to 70, a level some investors see as a signal to sell, and its valuation is th