Equity markets trade lower, Sensex sheds 300 points intra-day (Lead)

Mumbai March 16 (IANS) Indian equity markets traded in the negative territory during the mid-afternoon session on Friday -- with the BSE Sensex shedding over 300 points intra-day -- on the back of broadly negative Asian markets along with heavy selling pressure in oil and gas metals auto and banking stocks.

Around 12.30 p.m. the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 88.45 points or 0.85 per cent to trade at 10 271.70 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE which opened at 33 685.86 points traded at 33 408.37 points -- down 277.17 points or 0.82 per cent from the previous session s close.

The Sensex cracked over 300 points to scale a low of 33 366.90 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bearish with 1 412 declines and 1 035 advances.

"Indian shares opened lower on Friday tracking weak Asian stocks. Top gainers on NSE were Mahindra and Mahindra Auropharma and Zee while top losers for the hour were BPCL Indian Oil Corp and Tata Motors " said Dhruv Desai Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls.

On Thursday mixed sentiment observed in the global markets along with a sell-off in all the sectors led the benchmark indices to close in the red.

The NSE Nifty50 fell by 50.75 points or 0.49 per cent to close trade at 10 360.15 points while the Sensex closed at 33 685.54 points -- down 150.20 points or 0.44 per cent.

--IANS
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