Equity benchmark Sensex slipped 163 points in a volatile session Wednesday, tracking losses in index majors ICICI Bank, HDFC and Kotak Bank amid mixed cues from global markets. After scaling a lifetime high of 56,118.57 during intraday, the 30-share index turned negative to end 162.78 points or 0.29% lower at 55,629.49. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty declined 45.75 points or 0.28% to 16,568.85. It touched a record intra-day peak of 16,701.85.
Kotak Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, falling over 2%, followed by ICICI Bank, PowerGrid, HDFC, IndusInd Bank and Axis Bank. Conversely, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Nestle India and Bajaj Auto were among the gainers.
Heavyweight HDFC Bank witnessed brisk rebound after RBI allowed the bank to issue fresh credit cards, but closed lower due to profit booking. 14 of 19 sector gauges compiled by the BSE closed lower, led by the BSE Bankex index's over 1 percent fall, while Metal, Real Estate, Finance and IT indexes also fell 0.3-1 percent each. Energy, FMCG and Consumer Durable indices ended with a positive bias. Mid- and small-cap shares ended mixed as the Midcap index rose 0.26 percent and small-cap index slipped 0.2 percent.
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