Markets fall nearly 1% amid weak trend in global equities; Nifty slips below 17k

Investors pared exposure to metal, energy and realty stocks amid bearish trend in Asian and European markets

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty buckled under selling pressure for the second straight session to settle nearly 1 per cent lower on Friday as investors pared exposure to the metal, energy and realty stocks amid a bearish trend in Asian and European markets.

Besides, a depreciating rupee against the US dollar and fresh foreign fund outflows also hit investor sentiments, traders said.

In a volatile trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 398.18 points or 0.69 per cent to finish at 57,527.10, with 24 of its constituents posting losses. During the day, the index witnessed a high of 58,066.40 and a low of 57,422.98.

The broader NSE Nifty fell 131.85 points or 0.77 per cent to slip below the psychological level of 17,000. The index settled at 16,945.05, with 41 of its scrips ending in the red.

On a weekly basis, the BSE benchmark fell 462.8 points or 0.79 per cent, while the Nifty slipped 155 points or 0.90 per cent.

"Markets inched further lower and lost over half a per cent, in absence of any favourable cues. The first half was dull, however, pressure in the index majors changed the tone and pushed the Nifty index below the 17,000 mark. The fall was widespread wherein metal, realty and energy majors felt the maximum heat," said Ajit Mishra, VP - Technical Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

Bajaj Finserv was the biggest loser among the Sensex constituents, sliding 3.81 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, RIL, HCL Tech, SBI, Larsen & Toubro and Mahindra & Mahindra, Axis Bank and Titan.

NSE to roll back 6% hike in transaction fees from Apr 1

The National Stock Exchange has decided to roll back the 6 per cent hike in transaction charges in the cash equities market and equity derivatives segments from April 1.

The higher charges were introduced from January 1, 2021, to partly augment NSE Investor Protection Fund Trust (NSE IPFT) corpus in view of certain market exigencies due to broker defaults at that point in time.

In a statement on Friday, the bourse said its board of directors, at their meeting on Thursday, decided to roll back the increase of 6 per cent in transaction charges.