Sensex Subdued, Banking, Realty Stocks Under Pressure

Mumbai: A benchmark index at Indian equities markets was ruling on a subdued note a little before noon with banking, realty and consumer durables stocks under selling pressure.The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,490.87 points, was ruling at 18,390.02 points, 38.59 points or 0.21 percent down from its previous close at 18,428.61 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading lower at 5,587.1 points, down 20.05 points or 0.36 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were also in the red, with the BSE 500 index trading 0.54 percent lower. The BSE midcap index was down 0.93 percent while the BSE smallcap index shed 0.77 percent.

As per the sectoral indices on the BSE, IT, energy and telecom stocks were on the rise.

Prominent losers on the 30-scrip Sensex included SBI, DLF, Sterlite Industries and Jindal Steel, while among gainers were TCS, Hero MotoCorp, ONGC and RIL.

The market breadth was negative with 1,044 stocks advancing, 1,568 on the decline and 115 unchanged.

Asian markets were ruling in the green even as investors were worried about rising oil prices, Greece being able to manage its debt restructuring excercise despite getting a second bailout package.

The Japanese Nikkei moved up 0.96 percent to trade at 9,554 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.22 percent at 21,525.53 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index, also rose 0.6 percent and was trading at 2,395.76 points.