Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty stayed on the back foot for the second straight session on Friday as investors offloaded FMCG, IT and tech stocks amid a weak opening in European markets.
Selling pressure in index heavyweight Reliance Industries also impacted the market sentiments.
The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 223.01 points or 0.35% to settle at 62,625.63. During the day, it declined 253.9 points or 0.40% to 62,594.74.
The NSE Nifty went lower by 71.15 points or 0.38% to end at 18,563.40.
On a weekly, the BSE benchmark climbed 78.52 points or 0.12%, while the Nifty gained 29.3 points or 0.15%.
“The domestic market witnessed extended selling pressure as investors eagerly awaited the domestic inflation data due on Monday as the RBI refrained from an aggressive cut in their inflation forecast.
“In addition to the domestic factors, global cues also failed to provide support, as the US reported high unemployment claims ahead of the release of the inflation figures and the Fed meeting,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.
Tata Steel was the biggest loser in the Sensex chart, slipping nearly 2%, followed by State Bank of India, Hindustan Unilever, HCL Technologies, Infosys, ITC, Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services and Reliance Industries.
On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement and Tata Motors were among the gainers.
The broader market ended flat, with the BSE midcap gauge climbing marginally by 0.03% and smallcap index went up by 0.02%.
Among the indices, FMCG fell 0.82%, tech declined 0.79%, IT (0.68%), metal (0.66%), commodities (0.58%) and consumer durables (0.58%).
Industrials, telecommunication, utilities, capital goods and power were the gainers.
“Most Asian stocks rose on Friday, as weak US labour data ramped up bets on a pause in the US Fed’s rate hike cycle, although disappointing inflation readings from China capped broader gains.
“European stocks slipped at the open on Friday as traders were cautious ahead of the policy meetings of key central banks next week,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.
In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the green.
Equity markets in Europe were trading in the negative zone. The U.S. markets ended in positive territory on Thursday.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.38% to $76.25 a barrel.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹212.40 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.
Inflow in equity mutual funds halved to ₹3,240 crore in May, declining for the second consecutive month, primarily due to profit booking by investors amid a rising market.
“Focus now shifts to the US consumer inflation report for May, due on June 13, ahead of the Fed meeting, which will provide investors more clarity about the health of the world’s largest economy,” said Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research (Retail), Kotak Securities Ltd.