Sensex slips into negative zone; falls 71 points in mid-session

The benchmark BSE Sensex slipped into the negative zone by falling over 71 points and the broader Nifty was marginally lower by 20 points during mid-session trade as participants booked profits amid weak global cues. 

Earlier, the market witnessed positive opening ahead of rate cut hopes in tomorrow's RBI policy review in the backdrop of lower inflationary parameters.

Buying was seen in realty, banks, FMCG, healthcare and power sector stocks. 

However, selling in metal, auto, IT and tech segments pulled the benchmark down by nearly 125 points before trading in a tight range.

The Sensex resumed higher at 25,922.71 and moved in a range of 25,936.89 and 25,738.54, before quoting 25,792.45 at 1245 hours, a fall of 71.06 points, or 0.27%. 

The 50-share Nifty was also trading marginally lower by 20.10 points, or 0.26%, to 7,848.40 at the same time after moving between 7,893.95 and 7,831.35.

The major losers were Tata Motors (4%), Coal India (2.75%), Infosys (2.62%), Vedanta (2.57%), Sun Pharma (2.50%) and Tata Motors (3.84%).

Notable gainers were Dr Reddy's (5.17%), Lupin (2.98%), Hindustan Unilever (1.93%), TCS (1.10%) and SBI (0.94%).

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 115.10 crore on last Thursday, says provisional data.