Equity markets’ record run screeched to a halt on Wednesday as investors pocketed gains in banking, finance and IT counters amid a mixed trend overseas.
Snapping a three-day winning streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex slumped 694.92 points or 1.56 per cent to finish at 43,828.10. The index touched a lifetime high of 44,825.37 in the opening session. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty touched a record intra-day peak of 13,145.85, before ending 196.75 points or 1.51 per cent down at 12,858.40.
Kotak Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, skidding 3.22 per cent, followed by Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Bharti Airtel, Infosys and Tech Mahindra.
Only three index components closed in the green — ONGC, PowerGrid and IndusInd Bank, jumping up to 6.25 per cent. Global equities were mixed after the US’ Dow Jones Industrial Average breached the 30,000-mark for the first time in the overnight session on COVID-19 vaccine optimism.
Reports that US President-elect Joe Biden would appoint former Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary also cheered investors.
“The market rally which was led by developments on vaccine and FPI inflows came to a halt today due to profit booking across sectors in the second half of the trading session.
While western markets continued its positivity, being encouraged by news on vaccine developments and ease in the US political risk.
