<p>Indian stock markets took a breather today with benchmark Sensex losing 56 points to retreat from a record as investors booked profits and ended four straight days of gains sparked by hopes of BJP-led NDA forming the next government at Centre.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Sensex, which had gained 1,547 points in four sessions in which three saw it hitting successive record highs, moved in narrow 211-point band today and closed at 23,815.12, down 56.11 points or 0.24 per cent.<br /><br />Yesterday, the 30-share bluechip index had ended at its all-time closing high of 23,871.23 after surpassing the 24,000-mark in intra-day trading enthused by exit poll results.<br /><br />Sectors like IT, healthcare, capital goods and oil&gas saw selling. On the other hand, shares of realty, metal and consumer durables saw fresh buying enquiries.<br /><br />"Markets opened on a flat note. After a strong rally in last three trading sessions and surging to new all-time highs, today they saw profit-booking," said Nidhi Saraswat, Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio.<br /><br />Likewise, the 50-scrip NSE barometer Nifty, which had gained 456 points in past four days, concluded flat at 7,108.75 -- its record closing high logged yesterday. <br /><br />During tody's session it moved between 7,142.25 and 7,080.90. It had made lifetime intra-day high of 7,172.35 in yesterday's trade.<br /><br />Traders said the market was in an "over-bought" position and cautious participants preferred to lock some gains.<br /><br />Among Sensex components, 14 stocks including the likes of Dr Reddys, M&M and HDFC succumbed to profit booking. Tata Steel, Coal India and Bajaj Auto led the 16 winners.<br /><br />Sectorally, the BSE Oil and Gas sector index suffered the most by losing 0.78 per cent as Reliance Industries fell 1.49 per cent and ONGC by 0.93 per cent. <br /><br />Capital goods index slipped 0.36 per cent. IT index lost 0.31 per cent, Healthcare 0.30 per cent and Auto index 0.03 per cent. <br /></p>
<p>Indian stock markets took a breather today with benchmark Sensex losing 56 points to retreat from a record as investors booked profits and ended four straight days of gains sparked by hopes of BJP-led NDA forming the next government at Centre.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Sensex, which had gained 1,547 points in four sessions in which three saw it hitting successive record highs, moved in narrow 211-point band today and closed at 23,815.12, down 56.11 points or 0.24 per cent.<br /><br />Yesterday, the 30-share bluechip index had ended at its all-time closing high of 23,871.23 after surpassing the 24,000-mark in intra-day trading enthused by exit poll results.<br /><br />Sectors like IT, healthcare, capital goods and oil&gas saw selling. On the other hand, shares of realty, metal and consumer durables saw fresh buying enquiries.<br /><br />"Markets opened on a flat note. After a strong rally in last three trading sessions and surging to new all-time highs, today they saw profit-booking," said Nidhi Saraswat, Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio.<br /><br />Likewise, the 50-scrip NSE barometer Nifty, which had gained 456 points in past four days, concluded flat at 7,108.75 -- its record closing high logged yesterday. <br /><br />During tody's session it moved between 7,142.25 and 7,080.90. It had made lifetime intra-day high of 7,172.35 in yesterday's trade.<br /><br />Traders said the market was in an "over-bought" position and cautious participants preferred to lock some gains.<br /><br />Among Sensex components, 14 stocks including the likes of Dr Reddys, M&M and HDFC succumbed to profit booking. Tata Steel, Coal India and Bajaj Auto led the 16 winners.<br /><br />Sectorally, the BSE Oil and Gas sector index suffered the most by losing 0.78 per cent as Reliance Industries fell 1.49 per cent and ONGC by 0.93 per cent. <br /><br />Capital goods index slipped 0.36 per cent. IT index lost 0.31 per cent, Healthcare 0.30 per cent and Auto index 0.03 per cent. <br /></p>