Markets end in red on profit-booking

Mumbai: Benchmark indices surrendered early gains to close in the negative zone on Thursday as investors preferred to cash in on recent gains.

After swinging 386 points intra-day, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 166.54 points, or 0.45 percent, lower at 37,104.28. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 52.90 points, or 0.48 percent, to close at 10,982.80.

Domestic investors turned cautious ahead of factory output and inflation data, traders said. On the global front, markets rose on hopes of a resolution to the US-China trade conflict after President Donald Trump delayed by 15 days additional tariffs on some Chinese imports. Beijing had on Wednesday announced it would exempt 16 categories of products from US tariffs, ahead of their next round of trade negotiations next month.

Sectorally, BSE auto, telecom, energy, oil and gas, realty, utilities, teck, FMCG and IT indices ended up to 1.92 percent lower. Finance, bankex, capital goods and basic materials gained up to 0.35 percent. Broader indices closed on a mixed note, with the BSE Midcap slipping 0.45 percent and the small-cap gauge rising 0.12 percent.

The Indian rupee appreciated by 34 paise (intra-day) to trade at 71.32 per US dollar. Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 1 percent lower at $60.18 per barrel. (PTI)