Sensex again ends in red

MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex again ended in the red as frontline stocks continued to get resistance at higher levels even as mid-cap and small-cap shares extended their gains to fifth straight day on Monday on brisk activity.

The mid-cap index gained 218.44 points or 2.57 per cent to end the day at 8,730.82 while the small-cap index spurted by 292.16 points or 2.81 per cent to 10,672.89 on investment buying by institutional investors as well as public investors.

These indices rose by 786 points or 10 per cent and 1,053 points or 11 per cent in five days respectively.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex touched the intra-day high of 19,971.44 at the outset but later fell back to close at 19,633.36, netting a loss of 65.00 points or 0.33 per cent from Friday's close of 19,698.36.

The broader S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange, however, ended flat at 5,907.65 from last close of 5,906.85.

Investors have stepped activity in mid-cap and small-cap stocks at the prevailing attractive price levels after a strong two-day surge in these segments, market players said.

Shares of auto, consumer durables, realty, power and healthcare were in keen demand throughout the session.

However, bank counters witnessed heavy profit-booking after strong rally in the past few sessions.

The heavyweight RIL also suffered a sharp setback on selling pressure from investors.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) reported net sales of Rs 363.14 crore as per provisional data on the NSE website.