Sensex falls 21 points on profit selling

MUMBAI: The stock market benchmark BSE Sensex fell 21 points on Tuesday on profit-selling by funds in metal, capital goods and auto stocks.

The Sensex climbed to an intra-day peak of 15,440.20 points but closed with a loss of 21.40 points at 15,289.82. It touched a low of 15,272.46 points on aggressive selling in shares at prevailing high levels.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved between 4,550.25 and 4,488.25 points before settling at 4,496.75 points, a loss of 15.40 points.

Brokers said selling was sparked as stocks in metal and capital goods segment have remained high in last few trading session. They said funds booked profits at higher levels.

Reliance Industries was the star performer in Tuesday's trading and the counter attracted heavy buying from overseas funds and general investors. The reports of RIL finding gas in a Cauvery basin block sparked stock prices to a new record closing high at Rs 1827.35, a gain of Rs 50.80.

The stock has maximum weightage on the key indices and saved the Sensex from any major fall.