DSIJ Mindshare

The benchmark indices closed on a negative note for the third consecutive session, as investors chose to book profit ahead of key US Non-Farm payrolls data set to be released later in the evening. NSE Nifty 50 index plunged 0.74 per cent to close below 17,900 level

 Indices traded lower throughout the day but managed to recover in the last hour of the trading session. Nifty recovered about 100 points from its day’s low to close at 18,000 levels and slipped 0.25 per cent.

 The broader market witnessed strong profit booking ahead of US FOMC minutes release. Nifty Midcap and Nifty Smallcap witnessed a fall of 1 per cent and 1.24 per cent respectively.

Despite the volatile action in the broader market, fundamentally good quality Smallcap stocks have seen strong buying interest from the investors as many hit their fresh 52-week high levels at the start of the New Year.

 Indices traded higher amid volatility but managed to close on a healthy note. Nifty closed above 18,200 level despite slipping below it initially and gained 0.20 per cent at the end of the day.