Sensex sheds 184 points as RIL stocks tank

Equities started the week on a dull note as the Sensex today tumbled over 184 points to end at 29,237, weighed down by heavyweight RIL, which tanked after Sebi banned the company from equity derivatives trading for one year.

Investors were downbeat amid weak global cues due to heavy losses in Asia and a lower opening in Europe following Donald's Trump failure to push through his healthcare legislation, traders said. Falling for the first session in three, the 30-share index stayed in the negative zone throughout the day and settled down by 184.25 points, or 0.63%, at 29,237.15 after touching a low of 29,163.54.

The broader Nifty also succumbed to selling and slipped below the 9,100-mark in early trade to hit a low of 9,024.65 before recovering partially to close 62.80 points or 0.69% lower at 9,045.20. The rally in the rupee sent IT shares lower. Meanwhile, the rupee hit a nearly 1-1/2 year high to trade at 65.04 (intra-day) against the dollar at the forex market. Stocks of drugmakers also retreated, with Sun Pharma and Lupin ending lower by up to 1.76%.

Of the 30-share Sensex pack, 25 scrips ended lower while 5 gained The market breadth remained negative as 1,630 shares ended lower, 1,158 closed higher while 231 ruled steady. The total turnover on BSE read Rs 8,810.20 crore, up from Rs 5,566.64 crore registered during the previous trading session.