Sensex slumps to 1-month low; down 49 points as RIL falls

The BSE benchmark Sensex today closed nearly 49 points down at a new one-month low after RIL failed to cheer market with its AGM announcements and other bluechips Bharti Airtel and Infosys saw profit-booking, amid rupee touching 57-level against the US dollar.

After a weak start, the 30-share index closed 48.73 points lower, or 0.25 per cent, at 19,519.49, its lowest level since April 30. It had gained over 22 points yesterday after three days.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty closed flat and ended lower by 2.45 points, or 0.04 per cent, at 5,921.40.

Also, MCX-SX flagship index, SX40, ended down by 19.52 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 11,596.32.

Brokers said besides concerns of capital outflow as rupee touched 57 level against the dollar intraday today, coming precariously close to its lifetime low of 57.38, a down-trend trend in the Asian region and lower opening in European market hurt the trading sentiment here.

Also, Sensex heavyweight Reliance Industries, which had gained around three per cent yesterday, fell by 1.08 per cent to Rs 792.30 as it failed to surprise the market with its annual general meeting (AGM) announcements, they added.

Out of the 30 BSE index components, 19 stocks declined and 10 gained and one stocks - ITC - remained unchanged at Rs 334.30. Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, NTPC and Infosys were the biggest losers of the day.

Sectorally, the healthcare sector index suffered the most by losing 1.19 per cent to 8,895.38 followed by oil and gas index by 0.72 per cent to 8,564.67. Power index lost 0.59 per cent to 1,736.48 and metal index by 0.41 per cent to 8,500.04.