BSE Sensex ends 35.32 points down

Mumbai, Dec 10: The benchmark sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today slid marginally by 35.32 points to close at 19,930.68 due to weak Asian markets and sustained profit bookings by investors.

After making a firm start over the 20K level in early trade, the Sensex touched the day's high of 20,095.69 and soon landed into the red due to heavy profit bookings. It touched a day's low of 19,834.01 in mid-morning sessions. The Sensex hovered near the level of 20,000 but failed to take off amid choppy trading sessions, traders said.

The broad-based Nifty index at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended by losing 13.70 points at 5,960.60 from its previous close of 5,974.30. Nifty opened today almost steady at 5,974.00 and crossed the psychological level of 6,000 after few trades. It traded in a tight range band of 5,923.35 and 6,015.30 during the day's trade.

Hindalco Industries and ICICI Bank were top gainers from the Sensex pack, while Tata Consultancy Services and Cipla were the top losers. Reliance Industries declined and Consumer goods and realty stocks gained. FMCG stocks declined, while BSE Mid-Cap and Small-Cap indices outperformed Sensex.

European markets, which opened after Indian market, were mixed and Asian markets were subdued.

The Market breadth was strong. On BSE, 2,025 stocks advanced, 788 stocks declined and 30 stocks remained unchanged. 19 out of 30 Sensex stocks ended in the red. BSE clocked a turnover of Rs 7,359 crore.

The BSE Mid-Cap index rose 1.08pc to 9,119.14 and BSE Small-Cap index gained 1.66pc to 11,530.16. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. Reliance Industries declined by 0.93pc to Rs 2,815.10. As per reports, it has intensified restructuring of its retail venture 'Reliance Retail' to create upto 30 independent business activities, each targetted to be a profit centre. Speculation is rife of a mega initial public offer in 2008 of 'Reliance Retail'.

Consumer durables stocks rose by 2.18 pc, bankex was up by one per cent, reality index gained 2.13 pc and auto gained 0.50 per cent.

Realty majors edged higher. DLF rose 1.3pc to Rs 1,023.05. while Unitech rose 3.29 pc to Rs 443.05. As per reports, India's second-largest real estate developer, Unitech has major plans, which look beyond real estate. After announcing its plans of entering the telecom business, Unitech now wants to concentrate on positioning itself as a full fledged infrastructure development company with interests in power, roads, airports and also in other areas wherever it sees an opportunity. Besides, it also plans to enter the international market.

Banking stocks were mixed. ICICI Bank was up 1.8pc to Rs 1,270, while HDFC Bank came down by 1.43pc to Rs 1,697 and State Bank of India by 0.44pc to Rs 2,426.

FMCG stocks lost ground. ITC slipped by 1.01pc to Rs 187 and Hindustan Unilever came down 1.22pc to Rs 205.80. Bharti Airtel rose nearly one per cent to Rs 968.10. Bharti Airtel announced before the market hours today that Bharti Infratel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone Essar have agreed to form an independent tower company, 'Indus Towers' to provide passive infrastructure services in India to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis. Idea Cellular rose 3.64pc to Rs 137.90.

Hindalco Industries was up 2.71pc to Rs 193.25, Infosys up 1.74pc to Rs 1,748, Reliance energy up 0.98pc to Rs 1,951 edged higher.

whereas Tata Consultancy Services ended down 2.44pc to Rs 1,035.35 Satyam Computer Services 1.62pc to Rs 436.55, Cipla 2.08pc to Rs 192.0, and Bharat Heavy Electricals was down 1.92pc to Rs 2,690.25.

UNI