Sensex, Nifty end lower amid weak global cues

Indian benchmark equity indices closed in the red on Tuesday tracking losses in IT, financials and telecom stocks amid a weak trend in global markets. After plunging over 1,000 points intra-day, Sensex pared some of the losses and ended 410.28 points or 0.68% lower at 59,667.60. Likewise, Nifty declined 106.50 points or 0.60% to 17,748.60. Bharti Airtel, shedding nearly 4%, was the top Sensex loser followed by Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, HCL Tech and Infosys. PowerGrid, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Titan and Kotak Bank were among the gainers. Most sectoral indices on the NSE closed in the red. Profit-booking was in witnessed in IT and realty sectors. Nifty Realty, falling over 3%, was the top sectoral laggard followed by Nifty IT, Nifty Media and Nifty Financial Services. On the other hand, Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Metal and Nifty Pharma settled in the green. In Asia, stock exchanges in Japan, South Korea and Australia ended with losses. However, markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong ended with gains.