Sensex declines for sixth day; rupee slides

MUMBAI: Markets seemed to be caught in a downward spiral as the benchmark BSE Sensex on Monday fell for the sixth day — its longest losing run since June — as investors continued to head for the exit mode following weak results and a sluggish global trend.

It was a day when nothing worked for the markets as a private survey showed that India manufacturing growth dropped to a nearly two-year low for October to 50.7, from 51.2 in September, said brokers. Even positive sales numbers from leading automakers failed to lift the spirits.

The 30-share barometer finally ended lower by 97.68 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 26,559.15 — the lowest closing since October 1. It was in June this year that the benchmark had fallen for six days back to back. With Monday’s close, the gauge has plunged around 911.66 points in the past six sessions.

Adding to the gloom, soft Chinese factory and services numbers and United States consumer spending data fuelled fears over the global economic outlook, spooking investors. The market has been on a downward trajectory since last Monday on sustained foreign fund outflows and lackluster earnings by some blue-chips.

The broader Nifty was no better as it broke below the crucial 8,000-mark to hit a low of 7,995.60 before settling at 8,050.80, down 15 points, or 0.19 per cent.

“Weakness in growth in India’s manufacturing sector as measured by the Nikkei manufacturing PMI and a depreciating rupee weighed. However, a sharp recovery was witnessed on back of strong European indices,” said Gaurav Jain, director, Hem Securities.

Among Sensex and Nifty stocks, Bajaj Auto took the heaviest pounding, down 4.85 per cent, after total sales in October declined 8.59 per cent. Hindalco, Tata Steel, Vedanta Ltd and HDFC lost too. Amid all this, Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker, remained a bright spot as it was up 1.05 per cent after its total sales in October grew 29.1 per cent.

Sector-wise, the BSE metal index tanked the most, down 1.27 per cent, followed by capital goods, healthcare and power. In broader markets, the small-cap index shed 0.20 per cent while mid-cap managed to close 0.08 per cent higher.

Foreign investors continued to dump equities as they net sold shares worth Rs 1,464.89 crore last Friday, as per provisional data. Overseas, Asian stocks ended down while major European markets were trading higher in their morning session.

Rupee falls

The rupee plunged by 32 paise against the United States dollar to one-month low of 65.59 on fresh demand for the American currency from banks and importers amid persistent fall in equity markets coupled with strong foreign capital outflows.

The domestic unit opened lower at 65.39 as against last Friday’s level of 65.27 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market and dropped further to 65.62 before ending at one-month low of 65.59, showing a loss of 32 paise or 0.49 per cent. It hovered in the range of 65.36 and 65.62 during the day’s trade.

The local currency had last ended at 65.59 on September 29, 2015. Besides, the dollar index was trading lower by 0.02 per cent against a basket of six currencies in late afternoon trade.

The US dollar edged down in early Asian trade.