MUMBAI, Dec 20: Equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant decline of approximately 1.5 per cent on Friday, marking the fifth consecutive session of losses. This downturn was driven by a risk-averse sentiment in global markets following the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish announcement.
The 30-share BSE index plummeted 1,176.46 points, or 1.49 per cent, closing at 78,041.59. During trading, it fell as much as 1,343.46 points, or 1.69 per cent, reaching a low of 77,874.59.
The NSE Nifty dropped 364.20 points, or 1.52 per cent, finishing at 23,587.50.
Among the 30 blue-chip stocks on the Sensex, Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Larsen & Toubro, State Bank of India, Tata Consultancy Services, UltraTech Cement, and Reliance Industries were the biggest losers.
Conversely, JSW Steel, Nestle, and Titan showed gains.
In Asian markets, stocks in Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong also closed lower.
European equity markets were also trading in the red, while Wall Street had a mixed performance on Thursday.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 4,224.92 crore on Thursday, as reported by exchange data.
The global oil benchmark, Brent crude, fell by 0.96 per cent to USD 72.18 per barrel.
Continuing its downward trend for the fourth consecutive day, the BSE benchmark dropped 964.15 points, or 1.20 per cent, to close at 79,218.05 on Thursday. The Nifty sank 247.15 points, or 1.02 per cent, dipping below the 24,000 level to settle at 23,951.70. (PTI)
