Sensex down by nearly 150 points; HDFC twins drag down Sensex

At the end of the week, domestic benchmark indices settled in the negative territory with Sensex falling by 143.36 points or 0.39 per cent at 36,594.33 while Nifty dropped down by 45.40 points or 0.42 per cent to close at 10,768.05 on Friday.

Pharma, FMCG and energy sectors ended higher while bank, auto and metal remained under pressure at the end of today's volatile session. Markets continue to remain volatile with some fatigue that can be seen coming into the markets and also due to the ongoing earnings season being very weak and putting pressure. The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent downfalls is now being reflected in figures. Overall, investors' sentiments remain cautious as Coronavirus cases continue to rise with mixed signs of economic recovery.

In the Asian markets, Shanghai index, Hang Seng, Nikkei and KOSPI fell by 1.91 per cent, 1.84 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.81 per cent respectively. On the other hand, European indices such as FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 were trading in green, up by 0.47 per cent, 0.14 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively.

Reversing Thursday's scenario, eight stocks advanced on Friday while 22 stocks declined in the Sensex basket. Amongst stocks that advanced, RIL rallied by 2.95 per cent, Sun Pharmaceutical gained by 2.36 per cent, HUL rose by 2.22 per cent, Bharti Airtel gained by 1.03 per cent, TCS increased by 0.78 per cent, Power Grid gained by 0.44 per cent, Nestle India rose by 0.43 per cent, Bajaj Auto increased by 0.39 per cent and Infosys inched up by 0.03 per cent. Sensex losers comprised Axis Bank dropping by 3.14 per cent, IndusInd Bank decreasing by 3.13 per cent, Titan Company dipping by 3.01 per cent, HDFC falling by 2.87 per cent, ICICI Bank decreasing by 2.75 per cent, ONGC declining by 2 per cent, HDFC Bank down by 1.81 percent, etc.

Amidst BSE sectoral indices, the biggest gainer was Energy index, up by 2.29 per cent while the biggest loser was Bankex, down by 2.22 per cent. BSE small-cap index fell by 0.35 per cent while BSE mid-cap index closed in red, down by 0.72 per cent.