The 30-share barometer in the early trade breached the 22,000-level briefly on firm Asian trends but fell back later and remained in the negative terrain before ending at 21,826.42, a fall of 108.41 points or 0.49 per cent. The broad-based NSE 50-issue Nifty also declined by 25.35 points or 0.39 per cent to 6,511.90. It logged an all-time intra-day high of 6,562.85. The Sensex had crossed the 22,000-mark for the first time Monday on sustained capital inflows. It had zoomed by 988 points in past straight five sessions of gains.
The buoyant mood was somehow disturbed by country's exports which contracted 3.67 per cent in February to $25.68 billion. But the takeaway for investors in February trade data was a marked improvement in the trade deficit mainly on account of a significant decline in gold imports. The trade deficit in February narrowed to $8.13 billion, the lowest level in five months. Metal, pharma, auto, capital and banking stocks attracted profit-selling, while realty and power stocks were in demand.
Of the 30 Sensex shares, 18 scrips ended lower and the 11 others closed higher while Infosys ruled steady. Major losers from Sensex pack were Tata Steel at 5.52 per cent, Hindalco 3.69 per cent, SSLT 3.63 per cent, Maruti Suzuki 2.67 per cent, Sun Pharma 2.63 per cent, Gail India 2.18 per cent, M&M 1.97 per cent, HDFC Bank 1.23 per cent, RIL 1.22 per cent and Coal India 1.14 per cent.
Tata Power shot up by 4.12 per cent, ONGC 1.07 per cent and HUL 0.73 per cent.
‘Markets are now keenly awaiting inflation, IIP and manufacturing data which is scheduled to be declared on Wednesday for taking cues for further direction of the market,’ said Jignesh Chaudhary, Head Of Research, Veracity Broking Services. Among the S&P BSE sectoral indices, metal dropped by 3.44 per cent, followed by healthcare 0.99 per cent, auto 0.64 per cent, consumer goods 0.64 per cent and bankex 0.51 per cent.
Rupee follows suit, drops 9 paise to 60.94 per $
Mumbai: In line with fall in local stocks, the rupee on Tuesdya lost nine paise to end the day at 60.94 against the dollar, after straight five sessions of gains.
In early trade, the domestic currency rallied to a high of 60.59, a level not seen since 12 August, 2013, when it touched intra-day high of 60.45.
Forex dealers said initial dollar selling by exporters pushed the rupee up. In the past five sessions, the local currency had flared up by 119 paise or 1.92 per cent.
The buoyant mood was somehow disturbed by country's exports which contracted 3.67 per cent in February to $25.68 billion. But the takeaway for investors in February trade data was a marked improvement in the trade deficit mainly on account of a significant decline in gold imports. The trade deficit in February narrowed to $8.13 billion, the lowest level in five months. Metal, pharma, auto, capital and banking stocks attracted profit-selling, while realty and power stocks were in demand.
Of the 30 Sensex shares, 18 scrips ended lower and the 11 others closed higher while Infosys ruled steady. Major losers from Sensex pack were Tata Steel at 5.52 per cent, Hindalco 3.69 per cent, SSLT 3.63 per cent, Maruti Suzuki 2.67 per cent, Sun Pharma 2.63 per cent, Gail India 2.18 per cent, M&M 1.97 per cent, HDFC Bank 1.23 per cent, RIL 1.22 per cent and Coal India 1.14 per cent.
Tata Power shot up by 4.12 per cent, ONGC 1.07 per cent and HUL 0.73 per cent.
‘Markets are now keenly awaiting inflation, IIP and manufacturing data which is scheduled to be declared on Wednesday for taking cues for further direction of the market,’ said Jignesh Chaudhary, Head Of Research, Veracity Broking Services. Among the S&P BSE sectoral indices, metal dropped by 3.44 per cent, followed by healthcare 0.99 per cent, auto 0.64 per cent, consumer goods 0.64 per cent and bankex 0.51 per cent.
Rupee follows suit, drops 9 paise to 60.94 per $
Mumbai: In line with fall in local stocks, the rupee on Tuesdya lost nine paise to end the day at 60.94 against the dollar, after straight five sessions of gains.
In early trade, the domestic currency rallied to a high of 60.59, a level not seen since 12 August, 2013, when it touched intra-day high of 60.45.
Forex dealers said initial dollar selling by exporters pushed the rupee up. In the past five sessions, the local currency had flared up by 119 paise or 1.92 per cent.