Mumbai:
The benchmark BSE Sensex plummeted by 215 points to slip below the 28,000-level in early trade today as participants indulged in offloading positions in view of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment amidst weak global cues.
The 30-share barometer, which had lost 624.55 points in the previous six sessions, dipped below the 28,000-mark by falling 215.03 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 27,896.80.
Besides, profit-booking in stocks of auto, realty, capital goods, consumer durables, metal and banking sectors, negatively impacted the trading sentiments.
Also, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty dipped below the 8,500-mark by losing 65.90 points, or 0.77 per cent, to 8,464.90.
Brokers said squaring-up of positions by speculators as today is the last trading session of March expiry in the derivatives segment and a weak trend at other Asian bourses, dampened sentiments here.
Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down by 0.35 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei fell by 1.57 per cent in early trade today.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.62 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade.
Rupee falls 31 paise against dollar in early trade
The rupee weakened by 31 paise to 62.64 against the US dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on month-end demand for the American currency from banks and importers.
Forex dealers attributed the fall in the rupee to increased demand for the dollar from importers and a lower opening of the domestic equity market but the Greenback’s weakness against other currencies overseas, capped the rupee’s losses.
The rupee had snapped its seven-day winning spree by slipping seven paise to close at 62.33 against the dollar in yesterday’s trade.
Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex slipped below the 28,000-level by falling 215.03 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 27,896.80 in early trade today.
