Markets snap 4-day winning run; RIL HDFC top drags

Equity benchmarks snapped 4-day winning streak on Friday tracking losses in index heavyweights RIL, HDFC and SBI, after the RBI kept key interest rates unchanged during its bi-monthly policy meeting. Weak cues from Asian peers also weighed on investor' sentiment. Sensex tumbled 215.12 points or 0.39% to close at 54,277.72, while the broader NSE Nifty dropped 56.40 points or 0.35% to 16,238.20. Reliance Industries was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, followed by UltraTech Cement, SBI, Tata Steel, HDFC and Axis Bank. On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, Tech Mahindra, Maruti, NTPC and Bajaj Auto were among the gainers. Sectoral indices ended mixed. Nifty Media, Nifty Realty, closing nearly 1% lower, were the top laggards followed by Nifty Pharma and Nifty Financial Services. Market breadth was positive as 1,821 stocks on the BSE advanced, while 1,391 declined and 117 remained unchanged.