Sensex slides by 73.56 points, closes at 20030

Mumbai, Dec 14: The Sensex continued its downward trend on the Bombay Stock Exchange, losing 73.56 points, to close at 20030.83 amid very high volatility throughout the day today.

The market ended marginally lower for the second consecutive day amid highly volatile trading. However, BSE Mid-Cap and BSE Small-Cap indices struck fresh lifetime highs in afternoon trade, traders said. The benchmark Sensex resumed maginally up in early trade at 20,108.09 from its previous close of 20,104.30. It hit a intraday low below 20K level at 19,936.49 on heavy profit booking in local bourses .

Similarly, National Stock Exchange's (NSE's) Nifty index closed with a marginal loss of 10.40 points at 6,047.70 from its previous close of 6,058.10. It hit a intra-day high of 6,078.55 and a low of 6,015.05 during the day trade.

Shares from FMCG, consumer durables, and Healthcare stocks rose while those of capital goods, IT, power and banking stocks declined.

Global cues were mixed. European markets, which opened after Indian markets, were strong. However, Asian markets edged lower even as US markets settled on a mixed note yesterday.

Market breadth was strong on BSE. On BSE, 2,031 stocks advanced, 844 stocks declined and 27 stocks remained unchanged. 15 out of 30 stocks from the Sensex pack advanced.

BSE Mid Cap index rose 1.02pc to 9,471.94. It hit a fresh all time high of 9,518.86. BSE Small Cap index rose 1.57pc to 12,195.50. It hit a fresh all time high of 12,262.12. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

UNI