Global factors push stock markets down

Mumbai: The Sensex and Nifty retreated for the third session on the trot on Friday amid continued weakness in global markets due to rising Covid-19 cases in Europe and uncertainty ahead of US elections.

After gyrating 746 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 135.78 points or 0.34 per cent lower at 39,614.07. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 28.40 points or 0.24 per cent to 11,642.40.

Bharti Airtel was the top loser among the Sensex constituents, shedding 3.82 per cent, followed by Maruti, HUL, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank and Bajaj Auto. On the other hand, Tata Steel, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Nestle India, TCS, Tech Mahindra and ONGC were among the main gainers, climbing up to 2.27 per cent. Market heavyweight Reliance Industries rose 1.37 per cent ahead of its results. During the week, Sensex tumbled 1,071.43 points or 2.63 per cent, while Nifty sank 287.95 points or 2.41 per cent.

"Volatility in markets is expected to persist in coming week as well led by uncertainty over global economy and US presidential election. However, better corporate earnings so far and improvements in high frequency key economic indicators are expected to offer support to domestic equities," said Arjun Yash Mahajan Head Institutional Business at Reliance Securities.

BSE telecom, auto, bankex, FMCG, finance and teck indices fell as much as 2.37 per cent, while realty, metal, energy, oil and gas and power closed in the green. In the broader markets, the BSE midcap index advanced 0.62 per cent, while the smallcap gauge slipped 0.03 per cent. In rest of Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo ended the day with significant losses.