Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty50 gave up initial gains amid choppy trade on Friday, even as global markets strengthened after data showed inflation eased in the world's largest economy, taking away some of the concerns about steep hikes in interest rates. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Both indices failed to stay in the positive zone in early deals after opening about 0.1 per cent higher. The Sensex fell as much as 217.9 points or 0.4 per cent to 59,740.2 in the first few minutes of trade, and the Nifty slid to as low as 17,802.1, down 56.2 points or 0.3 per cent from its previous close. 

At 9:27 am, the Sensex was down 213.9 points or 0.4 per cent at 59,744.2 and the 50-scrip index at 17,818.1, down 40.1 points or 0.2 per cent from its previous close. 

An equal number of stocks strengthened and weakened in the Nifty basket. UltraTech, Adani Enterprises, IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel, PowerGrid, NTPC, UPL and ONGC were the top gainers, rising between 0.5 per cent and 0.8 per cent. On the other hand, HCL Tech, Larsen & Toubro, Eicher, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharmar, Apollo Hospitals and Reliance -- down between 0.8 per cent and 1.9 per cent -- were the top laggards.

Reliance and HDFC Bank were the biggest drags on both main gauges, accounting for almost 100 points in the fall in Sensex.

TCS to Infosys to HCL Tech. For all other news related to business, politics, tech, sports and auto, visit Zeebiz.com.