The S&P BSE Sensex ended 185.93 points or 0.35 per cent lower at 52,549.66 and the broader NSE Nifty50 benchmark settled at 15,748.45, down 66.25 points or 0.42 per cent.
Indian Oil Corporation, ONGC, Hindalco, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra and M&M, falling between 1.39 per cent and 2.17 per cent lower, were the worst hit among the 35 laggards in the Nifty50 universe.
On the other hand, Power Grid was the top gainer, closing 2.31 per cent higher. Cipla, Nestle, HUL, Divi’s Labs, IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy’s and NTPC were among other gainers, closing with gaines of between 0.73 per cent and 1.51 per cent.
Economists doubted whether the new loan guarantees announced by the government would boost growth while Covid-19-related concerns continued to keep investors in broader Asian markets on the back foot.
Globally, broader Asian shares edged lower on concerns that new coronavirus outbreaks in the region could undercut an economic recovery.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. MORE TO COME…
