Market volatile, ends with modest loss

Mumbai: The market ended with modest loss amid volatile trade. Losses were seen in technology, banking and FMCG stocks. However, metal, auto and pharma stocks gained.

The Sensex posted biggest weekly gain since November 11, 2005.

The Sensex closed down 31.35 points or 0.30% at 10595.43. It touched an intraday high of 10,690 and an intraday low of 10556.03.

The Nifty closed down 3.35 points or 0.11% at 3147.35. It touched an intraday high of 3167.20 and an intraday low of 3132.60.

However, the CNX Midcap closed up 24.60 points or 0.54% at 4550.75. It touched an intraday high of 4555.20 and an intraday low of 4526.85.

The market breadth was negative, about 986 shares advanced, 1470 shares declined, and 78 shares remained unchanged. The total market turnover was at Rs 39,973.45 crore (Rs 399.73 billion).

Tata Motors, GSK Pharma, Bharti Tele, Maruti and Tata Power were the biggest index gainers.

HDFC, Larsen, Hero Honda, Nalco and ICICI bank were the biggest index losers.

Losses were seen in technology stocks like TCS, Infosys, i-flex Solutions and Patni Computer. The BSE IT Index closed down 0.80% at 3746.18.

Banking stocks like Canara Bank, Union Bank, ICICI Bank, PNB and Bank of Baroda also witnessed some selling pressure. The BSE Bankex closed down 0.67% at 5251.56.

FMCG stocks like Nirma, ITC, Shaw Wallace, Tata Tea and McDowell also ended lower. The BSE FMCG Index closed down 0.58% at 2000.26.

Select capital goods stocks also lost ground. The BSE Capital Goods Index closed down 0.09% at 7709.

Metal stocks however firmed up. The BSE Metal Index closed up 1.20% at 7609.79 amid gains in Hindustan Zinc, Jindal Steel, Sterlite Industries, Welspun Gujarat, JSW Steel and Gujarat NRE Coke.

Auto stocks like Tata Motors, Maruti, Asahi India, TVS Motor, Cummins, Tube Investment and Bharat Forge also moved up. The BSE Auto Index closed up 0.63% at 5252.13.

Pharma stocks like Matrix Lab, Nicholas Piramal, GSK Pharma, Aventis Pharma, Pfizer, Dr Reddy's Labs and Apollo Hospital also surged up. The BSE Healthcare Index closed up 0.50% at 3613.94.

Select buying was also seen in oil and consumer durables stocks. The BSE Oil & Gas Index closed up 0.13% at 4470.10. The BSE Consumer Durables Index closed up 0.58% at 3224.48.