Mkts end in red after choppy trade

Mumbai: Benchmark indices ended marginally lower after a choppy session on Thursday, dragged by IT and bank counters, amid mixed results for the ruling BJP in State polls.

Lacklustre macroeconomic cues and an adverse judicial ruling against the telecom sector also sapped risk appetite, brokers said.

After gyrating over 486 points, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 38.44 points, or 0.10 per cent, lower at 39,020.39. The broader NSE Nifty slipped 21.50 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 11,582.60.

"Sentiments also got a hit after the apex court verdict against telecom incumbents...This ruling is a setback for the telecom industry and for the incumbents and it brings in more uncertainty for the industry," said Paras Bothra, President of Equity Research, Ashika Stock Broking.

Sectorally, BSE bankex, finance and telecom indices fell up to 1.16 per cent. Energy, realty, consumer durables and healthcare indices gained up to 1.57 per cent. Broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices fell up to 0.39 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee depreciated 11 paise to 71 against the US dollar intra-day. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.47 per cent to $60.88 per barrel.