Sensex gyrates 1,073 points, ends 460 points down; Axis Bank dips 6.5%, Maruti 2.5%


Benchmark indices turned sharply lower in the last hour of trade as investors booked profits at higher levels. The S&P BSE Sensex, which had touched a high of 57,975, tanked 1,073 points to hit a low of 56,902. The index, however, closed at 57,061, down 460 points or 0.8 per cent.

On the NSE, the Nifty50 dropped 325 points from the day’s high of 17,378 to hit a low of 17,053. It ended at 17,102.5, down 142.5 points or 0.83 per cent.

Axis Bank was the biggest loser on the benchmark indices, down 6.5 per cent, as analysts do not expect valuation to catch up with peers in light of the NII undershoot, impending dilution to fund the Citi deal, and higher operating expenditure guidance.

Coal India, Adani Ports, Power Grid, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, ONGC, Wipro, and Britannia Industries were the other laggards, down between 2.5 per cent and 4 per cent.

On the upside, HDFC Life, Tata Consumer Products, Kotak Bank, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, and Ultratech Cement were the only gainers.

In the broader markets, the MidCap and SmallCap indices slipped about 1 per cent each. Sectorally, all the indices ended the day in the red zone, dragged by Nifty Oil and Gas index, down 2.5 per cent.

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Sensex gains 209 pts, Nifty ends above 10,500 on last day of 2017


Equity benchmarks ended the last day of the year on a strong note as the Sensex was up 208.80 points at 34,056.83 and the Nifty rallied 52.80 points to 10,530.70. For the year, both the indices added nearly 28%.

About 1,566 shares advanced against 1,204 declining shares on the BSE.

Shares of Infibeam Incorporation turned volatile trading 12% lower at Rs 144.80 on Friday at 02:12 PM; on back of heavy volumes. The stock of internet software & services recovered 47% from its early morning low of Rs 98.80 on the BSE. It was closed at Rs 165 on Thursday.

Shares of Jaiprakash Associates (JP) Group stocks Jaiprakash Associates, Jaiprakash Power Ventures and Jaypee Infratech rallied by upto 20% in intra-day trade on the BSE, extending their gains for the past three days on back of positive media reports.

Jaiprakash Power Ventures has surged 20% to Rs 9.52, also its 52-week high on the BSE in intra-day trade today on back of heavy volumes. The stock rallied 37% in past four trading sessions after the media report suggested that lenders scout for new owner for JP Group arm Prayagraj Power.

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