Mumbai: The BSE Sensex plunged to 2-week low of 17,196.47 Thursday, down 405 points as investors sold stocks amid weakening rupee, allegations of massive losses to the government in coal blocks allocation and shaky overseas markets.
Of the 30 Sensex scrips, 28 tumbled. All the 13 sectoral indices closed in losses, with realty, power, banking, capital goods, metal and refinery stocks being hit hard.
Market heavyweight Reliance Industries dropped 4.15 percent, and Infosys by 1.39 percent. The two carry 20 percent weight on the Sensex.
The rupee's sharp decline against the US dollar to Rs 51 level worried investors that it will inflate government's import bill, especially on account of oil, worsening fiscal deficit situation.
Besides, reminiscent of the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the Comptroller an Auditor General (CAG) said in a draft report that the government lost Rs 10.67 lakh crore on account of allotment of coal blocks to 100 private and public sector companies without auction during 2004-2009.
However, CAG later informed the Prime Minister that media reports on alleged coal scam were "exceedingly misleading".
Sensex moved in a narrow range till late afternoon, but last hour selling pulled it down sharply to 17,196.47, erasing 405.24 points or 2.30 percent. In last two days, it had risen 328.34 points or 1.90 percent.
Similarly, NSE 50-scrip index Nifty tumbled 136.50 points or 2.54 percent to two-week low of 5,228.45.
"A mix of domestic and global factors hurt investor sentiment. The leakage of a draft CAG draft report weighed markets down. The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar further spooked sentiments," said Paras Bothra, Research Head, Ashika Stock Brokers.
Globally, European markets were trading weak, adding to investor woes, he said.
As per Sebi data, FIIs bought shares worth Rs 651.70 crore yesterday.
Asian stocks were down in early trade after a survey showed China's manufacturing has shrunk. Key indices in China, Singapore and South Korea finished with marginal losses, although Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan ended with gains.
European markets were trading sharply lower in the afternoon. CAC (France), DAX (Germany), FTSE (UK) were down by up to 1.52 percent. The US index futures too were indicated weak opening today.
Major losers from the Sensex pack were Jindal Steel (7.26 percent), DLF (5.01 percent), Tata Steel (4.55 percent), Tata Power (4.42percent), Reliance (4.15 percent), ICICI Bank (3.84 percent), L&T (3.76 percent), SBI (3.27 percent), BHEL (3.24 percent), Hindalco (3.13 percent), Bharti Airtel (2.63 percent), HDFC Bank (2.48 percent), Bajaj Auto (2.36 percent), NTPERCENT (2.31 percent), M&M (2.19 percent), Maruti Suzuki (2.19 percent), Tata Motors (2.17 percent), Cipla (2.06 percent), ITC (1.75 percent), Sterlite (1.60 percent), Gail India (1.55 percent), HUL (1.48 percent), Infosys (1.39 percent) and Wipro (1.25 percent).
However, Coal India shot up 2.40 percent and Hero Motoco 0.48 percent.
Among the sectoral indices, the BSE-Realty fell 4.25 percent, Power - 3.62 percent, Bankex - 3.41 percent, Capital Goods - 3.37 percent, Metal - 3.29 percent, Consumer Durables - 3.15 percent, Oil&Gas - 2.74 percent, Auto - 1.89 percent and PSU - 1.48 percent.
The total market breadth turned negative as 2,019 stocks finished with losses, while 879 stocks ended with gains. The total turnover declined to Rs 2,984.72 crore from Rs 3,302.43 crore yesterday.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 16:19
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