Sensex ends at over 1-mth low, melts 318 pts

The benchmark Sensex today tumbled 318 points to end at 31,214 -- an over one-month low -- and the Nifty cracked below 9,800, with geo-political aftershocks taking a big toll.

This is the first weekly fall in six for the markets.

In addition, weakness in the rupee against the American currency weighed.

The BSE 30-share Sensex remained in the negative zone and settled down 317.74 points, or 1.01 per cent, at 31,213.59, its weakest closing since July 4. The index had tumbled 794.08 points in the last four sessions.

The NSE Nifty after cracking the 9,700-mark to hit a low of 9,685.55, finally settled lower 109.45 points, or 1.11 per cent, at 9,710.80, a level last seen on July 7.

Sentiment suffered another jolt after the Economic Survey said achieving the high end of the 6.75-7.5 per cent growth projected previously will be difficult due to appreciation of rupee, farm loan waivers and transitionary challenges from implementing GST.

For the week, the Sensex and Nifty both recorded first fall in six weeks, by plunging 1,111.82 points, or 3.43 per cent, and 355.60 points, or 3.53 per cent, respectively.