Markets end in red amid volatility; power, realty stocks drag

31 January 2008

The markets opened on weak note despite good global cues and proceeded to trade weak amid volatility in the first half. It gained some momentum in the later half but could not maintain it for long and slipped in late trade to end with modest cut.

Power, realty, banking, capital goods and healthcare spaces traded weak through the day and ended deep in red. Power and realty index closed down with a cut of over 2%. Oil & gas, FMCG and auto stocks were firm today and drew good attention in the first half, slipped in late trade  but still manage to close with modest gains.

Sensex ended down 109.93 points or 0.62% at 17648.71, and the Nifty was down 30.15 points or 0.58% at 5137.45. On BSE, about 1062 shares advanced, 1893 shares declined, and 48 shares remained unchanged. BSE midcap ended 0.8% down at 7766.62 and smallcap was down 0.22% at 10124.42.

BSE auto index ended up 0.42% at 4832.4.

BSE FMCG and IT index closed flat at their previous day's level.

BSE oil & gas index ended up 0.19% at 10705.20.