Key benchmark index Sensex slipped 132 points on Friday, led by profit-booking in banking stocks after the RBI’s monetary policy announcements. The BSE index ended 132.38 points or 0.25 percent lower at 52,100.05, while the NSE Nifty dragged 20.10 points or 0.13 percent to 15,670.25.

Bajaj Finserv, ONGC, Lalrsen & Tourbo, Bajaj Finance and HDFC were among the top gainers on Sensex pack. On the other hand, Nestle India was the top loser falling around 2 percent, followed by SBI, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, HUL and Dr Reddy’s.

Barring metals and realty, most key sectoral indices traded in red today. However, midcap and smallcap stocks continued to outperform led by improved earnings visibility.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday left the key interest rates unchanged at record lows as it reiterated its commitment to keep its monetary policy accommodative to help the economy recover from the world's worst outbreak of COVID-19 infections.

It also lowered its forecast for the country's economic growth to 9.5 percent for the current financial year ending March 31, 2022, from the previous estimate of 10.5 percent.

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